Sample Preparation for the Effective Accumulation and Detection of the Beta-Active Rn-222 Decay Products

Abstract

The sample preparation method and the results of experimental measurements of the concentration of beta-radioactive aerosols (the decay products of Radon-222 in the air) are presented. The experimental equipment includes an electrostatic aerosol collector and a time spectrometer based on the PMT with a plastic scintillator and Wilkinson’s ADC. The accumulation of aerosols on the foil lasted for about 12 hours. The activity of accumulated aerosols was measured in the time interval of 0 to 300 minutes. The use of the spectrometer in the time analyzer mode, the proposed aerosol accumulator, and the method of processing the accumulated spectrum makes it possible to increase the sensitivity of the radiometer in comparison with the collection method based on air filters. Applying the time‑spectrum development procedure to the constituent components makes it possible to reliably establish the connection of aerosols registered in the room with β‑active decay products of radon-222: Po-218, Pb-214, Bi-214.

Keywords

• radon-222
• beta – activity
• decay
• electrostatic methods
• sample preparation