Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Radiation Measurements. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Radiation Measurements, 111, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2018.02.004
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Heterogeneous Scintillator Geometries to Maximise Energy Deposition for Waterborne Beta Particle Detection
AU - Alton, Tilly
AU - Monk, Stephen David
AU - Cheneler, David
N1 - This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Radiation Measurements. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Radiation Measurements, 111, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2018.02.004
PY - 2018/4
Y1 - 2018/4
N2 - Here the geometries that maximise detection efficiency of heterogeneous scintillators used to detect beta particles in aqueous solutions by maximising energy deposition are described. The determination of the geometry was achieved with the Monte Carlo code Geant4 using CaF2:Eu scintillator as a pertinent case study, and validated with experimental data using single crystal CaF2:Eu and heterogeneous CaF2:Eu scintillators. Both 2D and 3D structures composed of arrays of primitive unit cells of packed spheres were examined to find the optimal geometry to maximise detection of volumetric sources of tritium and aqueous Carbon 14 and Lead 210. The 2D structures were evaluated relative to a single crystal scintillator and results show the detection efficiency of the 2D structures is maximised when the sphere radius is c.a. 0.46x the maximum track length of the beta particle in the scintillator. Data for the 3D structures show that the efficiency is maximised when the sphere radius is minimised, but it is further shown that practical issues limit the minimum radius that can be used for transient radiological contamination monitoring.
AB - Here the geometries that maximise detection efficiency of heterogeneous scintillators used to detect beta particles in aqueous solutions by maximising energy deposition are described. The determination of the geometry was achieved with the Monte Carlo code Geant4 using CaF2:Eu scintillator as a pertinent case study, and validated with experimental data using single crystal CaF2:Eu and heterogeneous CaF2:Eu scintillators. Both 2D and 3D structures composed of arrays of primitive unit cells of packed spheres were examined to find the optimal geometry to maximise detection of volumetric sources of tritium and aqueous Carbon 14 and Lead 210. The 2D structures were evaluated relative to a single crystal scintillator and results show the detection efficiency of the 2D structures is maximised when the sphere radius is c.a. 0.46x the maximum track length of the beta particle in the scintillator. Data for the 3D structures show that the efficiency is maximised when the sphere radius is minimised, but it is further shown that practical issues limit the minimum radius that can be used for transient radiological contamination monitoring.
KW - Tritium
KW - Beta Particles
KW - CaF2:Eu
KW - Scintillator
KW - Flow Cell
U2 - 10.1016/j.radmeas.2018.02.004
DO - 10.1016/j.radmeas.2018.02.004
M3 - Journal article
VL - 111
SP - 6
EP - 12
JO - Radiation Measurements
JF - Radiation Measurements
SN - 1350-4487
ER -