Detection of Ionizing Radiation using Solar Blind Air Fluorescence

Abstract

This report looks at the feasibility of detecting radiation sources by using the photons produced by the ionization of the air surrounding the source. Some of these fluorescence photons are emitted in the UV solar blind spectral region which offers the possibility of detection in full daylight. A review of the basic technique is given as well as detailed radiation source simulations using the Geant4 simulation package and some preliminary experimental studies. Some conclusions on the practicality of this technique for radiation detection, as well as unresolved issues, are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA591408

Entities

People

  • M. D. Roberts

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alpha Particles
  • Australia
  • Beta Particles
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Efficiency
  • Emission
  • Filters
  • Gamma Rays
  • Ionization
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Photocathodes
  • Radiation
  • Shielding
  • Simulations

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Materials Science and Engineering.