Performance characteristics of a tungsten collimator and UVTRON flame sensor in the detection of alpha-induced radioluminescence

Gamage, K. A.A. , Crompton, A. J., Jenkins, A., Bell, S. and Trivedi, D. (2020) Performance characteristics of a tungsten collimator and UVTRON flame sensor in the detection of alpha-induced radioluminescence. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 177, 109197. (doi: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2020.109197)

Abstract

It has been established that the UVTRON flame sensor (Hamamatsu) can detect alpha-induced radioluminescence, but that the presence of gamma and beta radiation both interfere with this detection. A UVTRON was placed inside a tungsten collimator and exposed to a range of radioisotopes, 210Po, 241Am, 137Cs, 90Sr and 60Co, to investigate the effect of shielding the UVTRON. The collimator is a cylinder with a hole in the curved wall to allow light and particles to access the interior, without providing a direct shine path to the UVTRON sensor. Ultraviolet C (wavelength 180–280 nm) radioluminescence is reflected onto the UVTRON sensor using a UVC reflecting mirror. It was found that the collimator does not affect the low background count of the UVTRON, but that it does greatly reduce the UVC signal reaching the UVTRON from an alpha source. For example, the collimator reduced the signal by 94% at 60 mm, and 78% at 120 mm, where the signals were still far greater than the background (88 and 84 times background respectively). Beta particles entering the collimator, although not directly impacting on the UVTRON, do increase the count, likely due to bremsstrahlung radiation. The collimator attenuates gamma radiation dependent on the gamma energy, but as expected, does not block it. When using more than one source, the count is cumulative and therefore it may be possible to determine the presence of UVC radioluminescence through subtraction of the gamma and beta element of the signal. The results and findings of the experiments carried out are presented herewithin.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was funded by Sellafield Limited, UK and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, UK.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gamage, Professor Kelum

Creator Roles

Gamage, K.: Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing, Supervision

• Authors: Gamage, K. A.A., Crompton, A. J., Jenkins, A., Bell, S., and Trivedi, D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Radiation Physics and Chemistry
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0969-806X
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0895
• Published Online: 17 September 2020
• Copyright Holders: Crown Copyright © 2020
• First Published: First published in Radiation Physics and Chemistry 177: 109197
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy