Lucas cell: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Lucas Cell Number 7.jpg|thumb|576x576px|Actual Lucas cell]] |
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{{Orphan|October 2006}} |
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A '''Lucas cell''' is used to |
A '''Lucas cell''' is a type of [[scintillation counter]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Henry |last=Lucas |journal=Review of Scientific Instruments |volume=28 |issue=9 |pages=680–683 |year=1957|bibcode = 1957RScI...28..680L |doi = 10.1063/1.1715975 |title=Improved Low-Level Alpha-Scintillation Counter for Radon}}</ref> It is used to acquire a gas sample, filter out the radioactive particulates through a special filter and then count the radioactive decay. The inside of the gas chamber is coated with [[zinc sulfide|ZnS]]([[silver|Ag]]) - a chemical that emits light when struck by [[alpha particles]]. A [[photomultiplier]] tube at the top of the chamber counts the [[photons]] and sends the count to a data logger. |
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==Radon measurement== |
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Radon itself is an inert gas, much like [[Helium]], [[Argon]], [[Xenon]], and [[Krypton]] gas. Its danger lies in the fact that its daughters accumulate in the dust in your house. The Radon Daughters are radioactive solids that lodge in your lungs and bombard them with alpha and beta radiation. |
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A Lucas cell can be used to measure [[radon]] gas concentrations.<ref name="AbbadyAbbady2004">{{cite journal|last1=Abbady|first1=A.|last2=Abbady|first2=Adel G.E.|last3=Michel|first3=Rolf|title=Indoor radon measurement with The Lucas cell technique|journal=Applied Radiation and Isotopes|volume=61|issue=6|year=2004|pages=1469–1475|issn=0969-8043|doi=10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.03.065|pmid=15388149|bibcode=2004AppRI..61.1469A }}</ref> |
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Radon itself is an [[inert gas]]. Its danger lies in the fact that it undergoes [[radioactive decay]]. The radon decay products may lodge in the lungs and bombard them with [[alpha radiation|alpha]] and [[beta radiation|beta]] particles, thus increasing the risk of [[lung cancer]]. |
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If you need a sample of radon daughters wipe your computer monitor or TV - the black stuff is radioactive. In addition, plastic grocery bags, if left in a high radon environment collect radon daughters due to static charge. The EPA recommends a radon level of no more than 4 pCi/l in the air. The average in my home is 2.4-3 pCi/l. On a rainy, low barometer day I have measured up to 7 pCi/l. The Eberline provides 660 V dc to operate the photomultiplier tube and returns real time data in counts per minute. Alternatively, picocuries per liter (pCi/l). It’s the fastest way to measure radon gas, easily! Radon seeps up fast in high precipitation events and low barometers. |
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For this example, we will use the uranium decay series that begins with [[Uranium 238]], since its radon has the longest half-life and it poses the most danger to humans. The decay chain is as follows: |
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<math>238U \Rightarrow 234Th \Rightarrow 234Pa \Rightarrow 234U \Rightarrow 230Th \Rightarrow 226Ra \Rightarrow 222Rn</math> |
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Natural Radium-226 decays into Radon-222 and becomes a gas from a solid. Radon-222 has a half-life of 3.82 days and is transported up through the soil. It decays into radon daughters, forming a solid again. Radon daughters from 222Rn then continue as follows: |
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<math>218Po \Rightarrow 214Pb \Rightarrow 218At \Rightarrow 214Bi \Rightarrow 214Po \Rightarrow 210Tl \Rightarrow 210Pb \Rightarrow 210Bi \Rightarrow 210Po \Rightarrow 206Tl \Rightarrow 206Pb</math> (stable) |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Alpha particles]] |
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* [[Scintillation counter]] |
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* [[Geiger counter]] |
* [[Geiger counter]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Counting efficiency]] |
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* [[Photomultiplier]] |
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== External links == |
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*http://enhs.umn.edu/hazards/hazardssite/radon/radonmeasure.html |
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*http://www.albert-cordova.com/lucas/lucascell.htm |
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==References== |
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*http://www.blackcatsystems.com/GM/articles/radon_thoron.html |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Particle detectors]] |
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[[Category:Ionising radiation detectors]] |
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{{nuclear-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 05:38, 15 September 2024
A Lucas cell is a type of scintillation counter.[1] It is used to acquire a gas sample, filter out the radioactive particulates through a special filter and then count the radioactive decay. The inside of the gas chamber is coated with ZnS(Ag) - a chemical that emits light when struck by alpha particles. A photomultiplier tube at the top of the chamber counts the photons and sends the count to a data logger.
Radon measurement
[edit]A Lucas cell can be used to measure radon gas concentrations.[2] Radon itself is an inert gas. Its danger lies in the fact that it undergoes radioactive decay. The radon decay products may lodge in the lungs and bombard them with alpha and beta particles, thus increasing the risk of lung cancer.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Lucas, Henry (1957). "Improved Low-Level Alpha-Scintillation Counter for Radon". Review of Scientific Instruments. 28 (9): 680–683. Bibcode:1957RScI...28..680L. doi:10.1063/1.1715975.
- ^ Abbady, A.; Abbady, Adel G.E.; Michel, Rolf (2004). "Indoor radon measurement with The Lucas cell technique". Applied Radiation and Isotopes. 61 (6): 1469–1475. Bibcode:2004AppRI..61.1469A. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.03.065. ISSN 0969-8043. PMID 15388149.
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