[sdiy] Alpha Particle detectors

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Grant Richter <grichter at asapnet.net>
Subject: [sdiy] Alpha Particle detectors
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 11:02:51 -0500

Grant,

> Is there an easier way to detect alpha particles than a photodiode
> scintillation counter? (The scintillation phosphors are rather expensive as
> you would expect) How about cutting the top off of the photodiode?

You could use a Geiger-counter tube. There are commercial geiger tubes
which is sensitive to Alpha particles. I just had to stretch for my
"Philips Data handbook; Electron tubes; Part 6: Geiger-Müller tubes"
from July 1983. Their ZP1401, ZP1410, ZP1430, ZP1441 and ZP1451 tubes
are sensitive. If you toss them the moderate voltage of 400-600 V over
say 10 MOhm.

Pressing most semiconductors to a heavy source should probably do it.
The ionisation should do it. If you have alpha particles you don't
want a to thick layer, so going bare silicon to the source is probably
a good idea. I wounder if not a diode in reverse setup would work fine.

> Would the phosphor from an old CRT work since the Americium is a weak beta
> emitter also?

Most Geiger-Müller tubes sniffs Beta emissions.

> Thanks for any info or suggestions.

Cheers,
Magnus