Low Energy Beta Emitter Measurement: A Review

Abstract

The detection and monitoring systems of low energy beta particles are of important concern in nuclear facilities and decommissioning sites. Generally, low-energy beta-rays have been measured in systems such as liquid scintillation counters and gas proportional counters but time is required for pretreatment and sampling, and ultimately it is difficult to obtain a representation of the observables. The risk of external exposure for low energy beta-ray emitting radioisotopes has not been significantly considered due to the low transmittance of the isotopes, whereas radiation protection against internal exposure is necessary because it can cause radiation hazard to into the body through ingestion and inhalation. In this review, research to produce various types of detectors and to measure low-energy beta-rays by using or manufacturing plastic scintillators such as commercial plastic and optic fiber is discussed. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art beta particle detectors using plastic scintillators and other types of beta-ray counters were elucidated with regard to characteristics of low energy beta-ray emitting radioisotopes. Recent rapid advances in organic matter and nanotechnology have brought attention to scintillators combining plastics and nanomaterials for all types of radiation detection. Herein, we provide an in-depth review on low energy beta emitter measurement.

A Review of Nanomaterial Based Scintillators

“…Each S level is subdivided into a series of levels with a finer structure (corresponding to the vibrational state of the molecule). Each typical S level is 0.15 eV [49,50]. The average energy at room temperature is approximately 0.025 eV, meaning that all molecules are in the S00 state.…”

Introducing a novel beta-ray sensor based on polycarbonate/bismuth oxide nanocomposite

“…Recently, polymer-nanocomposites have been used as radiation sensors, detectors, dosimeters, and shielding materials 1 – 15 . The interaction mechanisms of beta particles with matter are categorized in two sections, electron excitation and ionization, in which electrons interact with the particles traversing the material via the Coulomb electric field 16 – 18 . Electrons lose their energies by friction attributed to the CSDA or continuous slowing-down approximation 19 – 21 .…”

“…Electrons lose their energies by friction attributed to the CSDA or continuous slowing-down approximation 19 – 21 . The collisions of electrons with the particles include hard collisions or inelastic scattering with orbital electrons produce excitation or ionization of electrons, and secondary electrons, inelastic scattering with nuclei leads to create Bremsstrahlung, and soft collisions or elastic scattering, in which electrons lose a small fraction of their energies 16 . It is worth pointing out here that ionizing radiations, including electrons through the interaction with the nanostructured materials, due to atomic displacement can alter the crystal structure and induce various events such as emission of secondary electrons, excitation, ionization, and bond breakage of the material atomic structures 22 .…”

Introducing a Novel Beta-ray Detector Based on Polycarbonate/ Bismuth Oxide Nanocomposite: Simulation and Experiment

“…The mechanisms of interaction of beta particles with matter is categorized in two sections, electron excitation and ionization, in which electrons interact with the particles traversing the material via the Coulomb electric eld [16][17][18]. Electrons lose their energy by friction attributed to the CSDA, or continuous slowing-down approximation [19][20][21].…”

“…Electrons lose their energy by friction attributed to the CSDA, or continuous slowing-down approximation [19][20][21]. The collisions of electrons with the particles are including hard collisions or inelastic scattering with orbital electrons produces excitation or ionization of electrons, and secondary electrons, inelastic scattering with nuclei leads to produce Bremsstrahlung, and soft collisions or elastic scattering, in which electrons lose a small fraction of their energies [16]. Some radioisotopes decay via beta-minus emission producing the fast electrons [22].…”