Remote αsource location device and method
AssigneesCommissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Algade
InventorsJean-François Pineau, Gérald Imbard
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Abstract
A device and a method of remotely locating α particle sources. In the method of remotely locating sources of α particles in an environment, a scintillating gas is used that may contain nitrogen and fills the environment (10, 30), the scintillating gas is used to convert the α particles emitted by the sources (14) into ultraviolet radiation, and an image of the ultraviolet radiation is formed on a photosensitive surface (20). This image can be displayed on film or on a video screen and may be superimposed on the visible image of the observed field. The device and method may be applicable to radioprotection and to the detection of the presence of radioactive materials and sources of radiation leaks.
Claims26
A method of remotely locating sources of α particles in an environment comprising the steps of:
- providing a photosensitive surface;
- using a gas containing nitrogen within the environment to convert the α particles emitted by the sources (14) into photon radiation, wherein the environment is demarcated with an enclosure (30) substantially impermeable to gas and with a wall (32) at least locally transparent to the photon radiation, the enclosure being filled with gas containing nitrogen;
- and
- forming an image of the photon radiation on the photosensitive surface through said wall (32).
A method of remotely locating sources of α particles in an environment comprising the steps of:
- providing a photosensitive surface;
- using a gas containing nitrogen within the environment to convert the α particles emitted by the sources (14) into photon radiation;
- and
- forming an image of the photon radiation on the photosensitive surface, said image forming through a filter (23) that selectively allows the passage of ultraviolet radiation.
A device for remotely locating sources of α particles in an environment, the device comprising:
- a surface (20) sensitive to ultraviolet radiation;
- a gaseous scintillator medium that includes nitrogen and which fills the environment;
- optical means (22) in order to form an ultraviolet radiation image of the environment on the sensitive surface;
- and
- an enclosure (30) substantially impermeable to the gas in order to define the environment, and provided with a wall, said wall at least locally transparent to ultraviolet radiation in order to form an image of the radiation on said surface (20), which is arranged outside of the enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.