Re: Detection of Surface tritium activity with portable G-M Surveymeters

[lambert@HAL.HAHNEMANN.EDU]

Using the Rad Health Handbook beta particle range-energy curve (pg 123) the 
range is 0.52 mg/cm^2.  Compare this to window thickness of a gm probe, 
e.g., Ludlum model 44-9 has a 1.7 mg/cm^2 window.  The answer, therefore, 
is no, unless one is looking for very large quantities in which case 
bremsstrahlung can be detected.  There are portable proportional counters 
which are windowless that can be used.  The detector is placed on the 
surface, the chamber purges with counting gas, then a reading can be 
taken.  Not real practical (especially if looking for removable 
contamination).

On Tue, 2 Jan 1996 StevenFrey@aol.com wrote:

> Is use of portable G-M survey meters to detect tritium activity, say in the
> form of tritiated water vapor, feasible or even possible? I'm inclined to say
> no, even with thin-window G-M meters, but am interested in hearing your
> input.

Kent Lambert
LAMBERT@hal.hahnemann.edu

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