Direct measurement of strontium 90 in groundwater: geometry optimisation of a photodiode based detector

Turkington, G., Gamage, K.A.A. and Graham, J. (2019) Direct measurement of strontium 90 in groundwater: geometry optimisation of a photodiode based detector. Journal of Instrumentation, 14(10), P10018. (doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/14/10/P10018)

Abstract

This paper examines the feasibility of detecting strontium 90 in groundwater directly with photodiodes and considers the physical parameters which maximise radiation absorption within the detector. Geant4 simulations were used to draw comparisons between silicon, gallium arsenide and cadmium telluride detectors of varying surface area and thickness. Detectors were compared in their ability to absorb point and scattered sources of radiation. The results indicate that a detector, of 10 mm2 surface area, and 1 mm thickness offered the highest detection efficiency in a contaminated groundwater simulation. 1 mm thick and 100 mm2 detectors cadmium telluride and gallium arsenide detectors were modelled in a groundwater borehole scenario. Each material offered similar detection efficiency, but the greater backscattering effect in cadmium telluride resulted in a greater peak at lower energies compared to that observed in gallium arsenide.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the University of Glasgow for funding support.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gamage, Professor Kelum and Turkington, Mr Graeme
• Authors: Turkington, G., Gamage, K.A.A., and Graham, J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Journal of Instrumentation
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• ISSN: 1748-0221
• ISSN (Online): 1748-0221
• Published Online: 15 October 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab
• First Published: First published in Journal of Instrumentation 14(10):P10018
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy