r/Radiation • u/Bob--O--Rama Wiki Contributor • 1d ago

Experiments and Demonstrations (Must Be SAFE) Air Things Alpha Spectrometer: Final Results

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A while back I had posted some updates on hijacking an Air Things radon meter as an alpha spectrometer. This recaps all of that and shows the final results of the spectrum of mixtures of thoron and radon demonstrating how the Air Things is highly specific to the detection of radon.

Now using this for alpha spectrometry in solid surfaces is not practical as the alpha particles interactions with air cause the peaks to broad so much as to be useless. The Correntium cleverly electrostatically precipitates radon decay products onto the sensor thereby eliminating that issue.

However one could take the probe and sample and place it in a vacuum chamber and likely be able to measure alpha spectrum of other things as well. That may be my next step. But pretty amazed what you can do with this otherwise inexpensive setup.

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3

u/Physix_R_Cool Neutron Enthusiast! 1d ago

That's super dope, and some nice spectrometry work!

2

u/PlainSpader 1d ago

I now wonder if I can possibly wire/solder in a LED on my Air Things to see the blinks.

2

u/Bob--O--Rama Wiki Contributor 1d ago

Easily, the two test pads one is analog pulses ( the one used for spectrometry ) the other is logic level pulses whose duration is proportional to analog pulse height. The pulses are a around 10 ms in duration. A piezo speaker may be an option to get clicks, but a LED likely will need a driver like a low power buffer. If you don't care about the meter "working" you may try driving the LED directly but it may cause the meter to misread.

1

u/PlainSpader 1d ago

Where could I find the low power buffer. I could directly wire to the battery because I still want unimpeded functionality.

Also thank you, I’ve always wondered if this could be used as an alpha detector.

2

u/Bob--O--Rama Wiki Contributor 1d ago

The sensor is basically a pin diode so VERY photo sensitive, you would need to cover it with "alpha film" which is light tighr but lets some alpha through. A FET / JFET could act as a low leakage current switch for the LED so you don't drain down the batteries.

2

u/ppitm 1d ago

Looks way better than I was expecting.

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u/NorthComparison4356 Cs137 Sniffer 22h ago

WOW!🤩 This is so awesome!

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u/Lady_Swann_ Pb-214 Princess 20h ago

I've been very invested in your progress! Impressive results, I think I may end up introducing my corentium to my siglent eventually...