- Technology Readiness Level: 2
- Technology Validation: Purdue researchers identified the ratio between two plutonium isotopes ranging from 1:0 to 0:1 to an accuracy within 12% and under 10 keV energy resolution.
Abstract
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new spectroscopic method for detecting trace amounts of alpha-emitting radionuclides. Traditionally, detecting closely-spaced energetic alpha radiation-emitting isotopes at trace concentrations needing mass spectrometry has taken weeks. On the other hand, the Purdue hybrid technology rapidly and spectroscopically detects alpha radiation with ~100% sensitivity, less than 10 keV resolution, and accuracy within 5% when evaluated against standards. This technology also maintains its sensitivity to weak alpha radiation in an intense field of gamma-beta radiation; the same apparatus also can be deployed for high-fidelity neutron spectroscopy.
Website
https://prf.flintbox.com/technologies/8741EC2D91864582BB5136F21270AF49
Advantages
- Accurate
- High-energy resolution and sensitivity
- Alpha and neutron radiation detection
- 100% background gamma-beta rejection
- Rapid (<1 hr)
Potential Applications
- Spectroscopic detection of alpha and neutron radiation
Contact Information
Name: William D Buchanan
Email: wdbuchanan@prf.org
Phone: 765-588-3584