Sensitive detection of low doses of beta particles using quartz crystal oscillators

A method of determining an intensity of beta radiation based on a calculated resonance frequency and a calculated quality factor comprising:

• providing an electrical sensor comprising at least one prong and a cylindrical substrate, the at least one prong comprising a first section and a second section, the first section comprising a plurality of planar surfaces, each of the plurality of planar surfaces having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the plurality of planar surfaces being connected to the cylindrical substrate, and the second end of each of the plurality of planar surfaces being connected to the second section, wherein each of the plurality of planar surfaces comprises a first material, one of the plurality of planar surfaces is coated with a second material to form a first composite material, and wherein the first composite material is different from a material of the second section;
• irradiating the first composite material of the one of the plurality of planar surfaces and the material of the second section with beta radiation from a beta radiation source;
• measuring at least one impedance value from the electrical sensor with an impedance analyzer;
• calculating at least one resonance frequency value based on the measured at least one impedance value;
• calculating at least one quality factor value based on the calculated at least one resonance frequency value;
• and
• determining the intensity of beta radiation based on the calculated at least one resonance frequency value and the calculated at least one quality factor value.