Use of an Intrinsic Germanium Detector Array for an Aerial Survey of Surface Nuclear Radiation.

Abstract

This report describes the results of an experiment to measure the natural gamma radiation emitted from the earth's surface with the aid of radiation detectors mounted in an aircraft. For comparison, two detector systems were used: an array of intrinsic germanium detectors with a total active volume of 0.4 liter and a single NaI(Tl) scintillation detector 30.5 cm diam X 30.5 cm long. Data were recorded on flights at altitudes of 60, 120, 240, 300 and 5100 meters and with average airspeed of 200 knots. A discussion is presented on the application of germanium detectors to the atmospheric radon problem; in particular, on the use of the photons with energy 295, 352 and 609 keV to determine the respective contributions from the air and the surface.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA038418

Entities

People

  • Gary W. Phillips
  • Keith W. Marlow

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Surveys
  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Computer Programs
  • Cosmic Rays
  • Detectors
  • Elements
  • Flight Speeds
  • Gamma Rays
  • Military Research
  • Nuclear Radiation
  • Radiation
  • Recording Systems
  • Research Aircraft
  • Scintillation Counters
  • Spectra
  • Statistics

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.