Alpha spectroscopy is used to identify and quantify radionuclides based on the alpha particles emitted in the decay process. Similar to Gamma Spectroscopy, energy spectra are generated with high precision alpha particle detectors and electronics and analyzed with special software. Typically, samples are measured following chemical separation to isolate the radionuclides of concern due to the complexity associated with correcting for these interferences with spectrum analysis software as is common for many Gamma Spectroscopy measurements.
Alpha Spectroscopy is a technique widely used in the following applications to name a few:
- Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring
- Health Physics Personnel Monitoring
- Nuclear Fuel Cycle processing
- Nuclear Forensics
- Materials Testing
- Geology and Minerology
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- NORM/TENORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials)
A Complete Alpha Spectroscopy System Consists of:
- Alpha Particle Detector with high resolution, low background, and detection efficiency appropriate for the application.
- Vacuum Chamber to ensure alpha particles can reach the detector as they are easily attenuated by air.
- Recoil Contamination Avoidance Package (RCAP) to keep the detectors from becoming contaminated by daughter products that may leave the sample material.
- Electronics for detector signal processing and storing the energy data.
- Analysis Software to control the electronics, analyze spectra, establish quality control processes, and integrate data with laboratory data management systems.
Whether it’s nuclear power counting room, radiochemistry laboratory, or research applications, ORTEC has the superior Alpha Spectroscopy solution.