A Feasibility Study of Gross Alpha Counting in Environmental Samples Using a Superheated-Liquid-Droplet Technique

Abstract

A feasibility study of gross alpha counting in real environmental samples using the superheated-liquid-droplet (SLD) technique has been carried out. To find an alternative technique as a fast screening for gross alpha counting in environmental samples, various samples acquired from real groundwater and soil were mixed with the SLD emulsion. The intersections of alpha particles with the superheated liquid Freon-12 droplets trigger the vaporization of the droplet and form bubbles. The acoustic wave accompanying the bubble formation can be recorded by a piezoelectric sensor. The number of bubbles recorded represents a measurement of the gross alpha counting. These results are reasonable when compared with those obtained using the conventional methods. However, for practical application, the SLD fabrication and correlated counting process still need to be further modified.