Stand-Off Detection of Alpha-Induced Air-Radioluminescence Even Under Daylight Conditions
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Stand-off Detection of Alpha-Induced Air-Radioluminescence Even Under Daylight Conditions Anita Jane Crompton, MEng, BA(Hon), PGDip Department of Engineering Lancaster University A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2019 For my Dad, the best engineer I’ve ever known. ii Acknowledgments I would like to thank my academic supervisor, Kelum Gamage, for giving me the opportunity to undertake this PhD. Though it has been difficult and frustrating at times, it has always been interesting … and I am sure that Kelum can say the same is true of supervising me. I thank him for his patience and support. I would also like to thank James Taylor, my other academic supervisor, for stepping in to the role part way through my work, and for his sage advice, support and help. I am grateful to my industrial supervisors, Divyesh Trivedi and Alex Jenkins, not only for their industrial understanding and technical expertise, but also their support and personal guidance. To all my supervisors, every supervisory meeting I faced with trepidation, but came out of with a renewed enthusiasm and sense of purpose. Your help was invaluable. I gratefully acknowledge the funding provided by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Sellafield Ltd which allowed me to undertake the PhD, and to the Nuclear Security Science Network (NuSec) which supported some of the research activities. I would also like to thank the people who provided resources, time and technical knowhow, including Steven Bell (NPL) for use of his lab space and for his assistance, Dan Whittaker (NNL) for his help in carrying out experiments at Central Labs, Jackie Pates (LEC) for the use of her lab space and sources, Russell Harvey (Physics) for the loan of his alpha source, and Richard Wilbraham for the use of the lab space and the friendly advice. I would also like to thank Peter Jones for his help, his friendship and lots of cups of tea. And to James Walkerdine who gave me invaluable advice on getting through a PhD, and who talked me round every time it got too much. To my partner Andy, without whom this would not have been possible, thank you for getting me where I needed to be and keeping me safe; my partner, chauffeur, bodyguard, roadie and fellow engineer. And to my Mum, thank you for being there for me every day from day one. iii Stand-off Detection of Alpha-Induced Air-Radioluminescence Even Under Daylight Conditions Anita Jane Crompton. MEng, BA(Hon), PGDip - Department of Engineering- Lancaster University A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, July 2019 Abstract Alpha radiation detector technology lags behind gamma and beta due to difficulties presented by the short travel of alpha particles in environments complicated by mixed radiation fields, complex geometries, areas of high dose, and limited operator access. Yet, it is vital in nuclear decommissioning, safety and security operations. Recent developments focus on alpha-induced radioluminescence as a mechanism for long- range alpha detection. Detection in the 300–400 nm wavelength range has been achieved in special lighting conditions, but interference from background light hampers detection in daylight. This thesis looks at the viability of detecting ultraviolet C (UVC, 180 – 280 nm) radioluminescence photons, focusing on characterising a flame sensor (UVTRON, Hamamatsu) sensitive to photons only in this wavelength range. UVC is already used in the detection of fires and corona discharge as Earth’s atmosphere absorbs UVC from the sun and artificial lighting does not produce UVC. UVC radioluminescence from a 6.95 MBq 210Po sample was detected in normal lighting conditions using the UVTRON, with very low background counts found in all environments. As the UVC radioluminescence signal is small, gas flows of Ar, Xe, Ne, N2, Kr and P10 were iv directed over the 210Po sample to enhance radioluminescence with positive effect. In one instance Xe doubled the count in relation to an air atmosphere. Tests showed that the UVTRON reacts to the presence of gamma and beta radiation. However, it may be possible to identify alpha radioluminescence by separating the gamma and UVC parts of the signal. Research presented herein shows it is possible to use a UVC flame sensor to detect alpha radiation through radioluminescence, and therefore an approach which uses the UVC portion of the radioluminescence spectrum may be successful in the development of a stand-off alpha detector, which would overcome many of the difficulties affecting traditional alpha detection methods. v Declaration vi Contents Acknowledgements iii Abstract iv Declaration vi Contents vii List of Figures xii List of Tables xvi Abbreviations xvii 1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction to the project ...........................................................................................1 1.2 Aim and scope of the work .........................................................................................4 1.3 Achievements of the project .......................................................................................5 1.3.1 Journal papers .................................................................................................... 5 1.3.2 Conference papers .............................................................................................. 6 1.3.3 Awards ............................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Novelty of the project .................................................................................................7 1.5 Outline of each chapter ...............................................................................................7 1.6 Background .............................................................................................................. 10 1.6.1 UK nuclear industry and decommissioning ..................................................... 10 1.6.2 Nuclear Security ............................................................................................... 11 1.7 Traditional alpha detection ....................................................................................... 12 1.7.1 Traditional alpha detection methods ................................................................ 12 1.7.2 Advantages and disadvantages of traditional methods .................................... 12 1.7.3 Overcoming the limitations of traditional alpha detection methods ................ 14 1.8 Underpinning science ............................................................................................... 14 1.8.1 Alpha radiation ................................................................................................. 14 vii 1.8.2 Beta and gamma radiation ................................................................................ 16 1.8.3 Radioluminescence .......................................................................................... 17 1.8.4 Sunlight and artificial light............................................................................... 19 1.8.5 Transmittance of UV light through translucent materials ................................ 21 1.8.6 Reflectance of UV light ................................................................................... 22 2 Alpha Particle Detection Using Alpha-Induced Air Radioluminescence: A Review and Future Prospects for Preliminary Radiological Characterisation for Nuclear Facilities Decommissioning . 24 2.1 Abstract .................................................................................................................... 24 2.2 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 25 2.3 Alpha Radiation ....................................................................................................... 27 2.4 Alpha-Induced Air-Radioluminescence ................................................................... 29 2.5 Advantages and Drawbacks of Using Radioluminescence ...................................... 37 2.6 Alpha Particle Detectors .......................................................................................... 42 2.6.1 Traditional Detectors ........................................................................................ 42 2.6.2 Alpha-Induced Air Radioluminescence Detectors ........................................... 44 2.6.3 Solar-Blind Detectors ....................................................................................... 46 2.6.4 UVA and UVB Cameras .................................................................................. 49 2.6.5 UVA and UVB PMT Based Detector .............................................................. 53 2.6.6 Other Detector Types ....................................................................................... 60 2.7 Future Prospects for Alpha Induced Radioluminescence Detection ........................ 63 3 Experimental approach and set up...................................................... 66 3.1 Approach .................................................................................................................. 66 3.2 Equipment selection ................................................................................................. 67 3.2.1 UVTRON sensor .............................................................................................. 67 3.2.2 UVTRON – model R9533 ..............................................................................