Monitoring ionizing radiations resulting from nitrogen reactions

Problems of monitoring ionizing radiations and neutrons from nitrogen reactions taking place on irradiation of air, nitrogen-oxygen mixtures, nitrogen oxides, or water containing dissolved air and during capture of neutrons by nitrogen nuclei are discussed. Nitrogen-oxygen and nitrogen oxides ionizing-radiation and thermal neutron monitors are proposed on the basis of the investigated radiation-chemical effects. The lower limit of measurement of radiation dosage is 1 rad, and that of an integral neutral flux is 10⁹ neutrons/cm². Use of the appropriate procedure makes it possible to reduce these limits. The upper limits of measurement of dosages and neutron fluxes by opentype monitors are virtually unrestricted. The method makes it possible to carry out dosimetric measurements from samples of air and water under natural conditions.Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 52–59, July, 1963     

Use of cadmium sulfide photocells in measuring ionizing radiations

The need for new methods of measuring ionizing radiation is very great. The use of crystalline counters in the field of dosimetry is particularly interesting. The present paper deals with the use of cadmium sulfide photocells as counters in dosimetric devices; these have considerably higher sensitivity to various types of radiation than have air ionizatlon chambers. Due to its high sensitivity, finely crystalline CdS can be used successfully in solving a series of dosimetric problems. A resume is given here of the work of both, Soviet and foreign authors on this subject. Methods of obtaining mono- and polycrystalline CdS are briefly described and their dosimetric, time and temperature properties are given. Certain defects of CdS counters are also listed and possible means of eliminating them are presented. Diagrams of CdS dosimeters are also given.     

Surveying ionizing radiations in real time using a smartphone

Surveying ionizing radiations of the surrounding with a smartphone provides a low-cost and convenient utility for the general public.We developed a smartphone application (App) that uses the built-in camera with a CMOS sensor and a radiation signal extraction algorithm.After a calibration through a series of radiation exposures,the App could display radiation dose rate and cumulative dose in real time without requiring covering the camera lens.A smartphone with this App can be used as a fast survey tool for ionizing radiations.