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CR-39 Nuclear Track Detectors for identification of Pu-239 and Am-241 alpha contamination

  • Determination of Actinide Elements in Environmental Materials
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Abstract

Nuclear Track Detectors (NTD's) are used as passive systems to detect the alpha contamination on flat or semirough surfaces. The procedure for the application of these devices is simple because the detector needs only to be placed on the area to be surveyed for a short period of time, collected and chemically processed to develop the alpha tracks. For the quantification of the results, it is necessary to have a calibration procedure. This paper presents the response of CR-39 (allyl diglycol carbonate), from American Acrylics and Pershore Companies, to alpha particles from Pu-239 (5.15 MeV) and Am-241 (5.48 MeV). The methods of etching and counting are outlined, along with the achievable linearity, efficiency and reproducibility. The sensitivity to low activity levels is also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Fisica, UNAM, Apdo. Postal 20-364, Mexico, D.F., (Mexico)

    G. Espinosa

  2. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, PO Box 808, L232, 94550, Livermore, CA, (USA)

    R. J. Silva

Authors
  1. G. Espinosa
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  2. R. J. Silva
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Additional information

Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract W-7405-ENG-48.

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Espinosa, G., Silva, R.J. CR-39 Nuclear Track Detectors for identification of Pu-239 and Am-241 alpha contamination. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 194, 185–189 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02037626

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02037626

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