Session II 304 Scintillation Detectors CS

IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course
Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources
Part IIQuantities and Measurements
Module 3 Principles of Radiation Detection

and Measurements
Session 4 Scintillation detectors
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
Scintillation Detectors
• Upon completion of this section, the

student will be able to:
• Explain the scintillation process

• Explain how scintillation detectors may be
used to determine the radionuclide and
associated activity
• Describe how scintillation detectors are used
to detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
IAEA 2
Scintillation Theory
✓ Scintillation is a means of detecting the presence of

ionizing radiation
✓ Ionizing radiation interacts with a scintillator which

produces a pulse of light
✓ This light interacts with a photocathode which results in

the production of an electron
✓ The electron is multiplied in a photomultiplier tube that

has a series of focused dynodes with increasing potential
voltage which results in an electrical signal
IAEA 3
Scintillation Detector (gamma)
PHOTOELECTRONS
COLLECTOR
PHOTONS (VIS. OR U. V.) DYNODES
ELECTRICAL
SIGNAL
OUTPUT
INCIDENT
RADIATION
PHOTO
CATHODE
FLOURESCENT PHOTOMULTIPLER TUBE

MATERIAL
IAEA 4
Scintillation Theory
✓ The number of counts is dependent on the activity that is

present
✓ The energy of the electron, and consequently the

associated current is proportional to the incident energy
of the ionizing radiation
✓ By analyzing the energy and corresponding number of

counts, the nuclide and activity may be determined
IAEA 5
Scintillators
• Scintillators may be used to detect various types of

radiation
• They are made of either inorganic or organic materials

(plastic)
• Inorganic materials have a higher light output, but have a

slow response
• Organic scintillators have a lower light output but have a

faster response
IAEA 6
Scintillators
• The scintillator is optically connected to a

photomultiplier (PM) tube
• The height of the output pulse of the PM tube is

analyzed by a mulitchannel analyzer
• Alpha particles may be detected by placing a thin layer

of a scintillator, zinc sulfide (ZnS)
• Photons interactions are detected using a scintillator

made of sodium iodide (NaI) or of plastic
IAEA 7
Scintillation Detector (alpha)
IAEA 8
Alpha Scintillation Detector
The photomultiplier tube is located in the handle.
IAEA 9
Scintillation Detection (photon)
IAEA
Typical Gamma Spectrum Shape
IAEA
Gamma Spectrum
E = h
0.511
1.02 (E - 0.511)
(E - 1.02)
Energy (MeV)
IAEA 12
Spectral Analysis
• Scintillation detectors, when used with a

multichannel analyzer (MCA) provide
information on the energy of a photon
that has interacted with the detector as
well as the activity present
• The spectra can be analyzed to

determine which isotopes are present
IAEA 13
Single Channel Analyzer (SCA)
Schematic
Single
Detector PM Tube Preamp Amplifier Channel Scaler
Analyzer
HV Power
Supply
IAEA 14
Multichannel Analyzer (MCA)
Schematic
Multi
Detector PM Tube Preamp Amplifier Channel
Analyzer
HV Power
Supply
IAEA 15
Resolution
The resolution of a detector is the ability to
distinguish between peaks (for an MCA). The
resolution is measured as the width of the
peak, called the full width at half maximum
(FWHM). Resolution, R, is expressed as a
percentage (%):
E
FWHM
R= x 100%
EMAX
Typical values for a NaI detectors are 7% to

9%
IAEA 16
Resolution
1200
405-375 E(MAX) = 390
1000 R= (100) = 8%
390 FWHM = E = 405-375
800
Counts
600
400
200
0
375 390 405
340 360 380 400 420 440
Channel Number
IAEA
Examples of Radionuclides Analyzed by
Spectroscopy
Nuclide Peak Energy (MeV) Source

Sodium-24 2.75, 1.37 Activation
Potassium-40 1.46 Natural
Cobalt-58 0.81 Activation
Cobalt-60 1.17, 1.33 Activation
Iron-59 1.10, 1.29 Activation
Iodine-131 0.365 Fission
Cesium-137 0.662 Fission
Zinc-65 1.12 Activation
Peak energies are approximate
IAEA 18
Spectrum Analysis
• Confirmation of the presence of a nuclide requires

identification of a peak for that nuclide
• Selecting peaks for this determination requires:

• that the peaks be unique for that isotope
• that peaks be adequately separated so they may be
identified
• that there is sufficient abundance for that peak
• The 0.511 MeV peak is not desirable for identifying

isotopes since it is an annihilation peak caused by pair
production
IAEA 19
Sample Scintillation Instruments
✓ The following slides provide a sample of

scintillation instruments commercially available
in the United States
✓ More detailed information concerning these and

other instruments may be obtained by visiting
the websites of some of the major manufacturers
such as Ludlum, Eberline and Bicron
IAEA 20
Bicron Micro Rem Meter
This lightweight, low level instrument uses a

tissue equivalent scintillation detector to make
rapid measurements of absorbed dose rate down
to background levels. High sensitivity and true
dose response sets them apart from other GM or
NaI based survey meters and makes them ideal
for confirming the boundaries of radiation zones
wherever radiation fields occur. Low energy and
extended detector options are available.
Five linear ranges

0-20 rem/h to 0-200 mrem/h; 90% response time <15 sec
Energy response 17 keV to 1.3 MeV with low density window option
IAEA 21
Eberline Model PM7
“Portal Monitor”
FEATURES:
Microcomputer controlled
Automatic background subtraction
RS-232 serial communications port
Six large plastic scintillator detectors
SENSITIVITY:
RDS for a 0.4 second walk through is approximately 100 nCi
RDA for a 10 second stop and count is approximately 0.4 nCi
Annunciator Lights for Contamination alarm, Ready, Recount, Out of Service
Human Silhouette to indicate contamination area
SIZE: 228.6 x 101.6 x 50.8 cm

WEIGHT: 400 kg excluding lead shielding [800 kg with lead shielding ]
POWER: 105 to 125 Va, 47 to 63 Hz, 1 A
BATTERY BACKUP: 8 hours operation
OPERATING TEMP: 0 to 50 C
IAEA 22
Ludlum Model 44-3
25mm X 1 mm NaI(Tl) Gamma Scintillator
for low energy gamma (LEG)
INDICATED USE: I125 and x-ray survey

SCINTILLATOR: 1" (2.5 cm) diameter X 1 mm thick (NaI)Tl scintillator
ENTRY WINDOW: 15 mg/cm 2
WINDOW AREA: 5 cm 2 active and open
RECOMMENDED ENERGY RANGE: Approximately 10 - 60 keV
BACKGROUND: Typically 40 cpm/microR/hr
SENSITIVITY: Typically 675 cpm/microR/hr (I125)
EFFICIENCY(4pi geometry): Typically 19% - I125
TUBE: 3.8cm diameter magnetically shielded photomultiplier
OPERATING VOLTAGE: Typically 500 - 1200 volts
CONSTRUCTION: Aluminum housing with beige polyurethane enamel paint
TEMPERATURE RANGE: (-20oC) to (50oC)
SIZE: (5.1 cm) diameter X (17.8 cm)L
WEIGHT: 0.5kg
IAEA 23
Eberline LEG-1
Application: Low Energy Gamma optimized for 125I
Detector Type: 1" diameter by 0.04" thick NaI(Tl)

Window: 75.4 mg/cm 2 aluminum window
Sensitive Area: 0.79 inch 2
Operating Voltage: 1,000 V nominal
Dead Time: 8 s nominal
Background Sensitivity: ~ 60 cpm/mR/h (137Cs)
Energy Response/Photon: ~ 95% 125I
Energy Range: ~ 15 to 200 kev
Operating Temp: -30o to +60o C
Housing: Aluminum body
Size: 4.2 x 20.1 cm
Weight: 340 g
IAEA 24
3 Scintillator Models
Specs 380A 380B 380AB
Application Alpha Beta Alpha/Beta
Detector ZnS Beta Scintillator Dual Phosphor
Efficiency 21% (239Pu) 22% (90Sr/Y) 18% (239Pu)
(4 ) 9% (99Tc) (see Beta)
(Remaining specifications common to all)

Voltage 600 V Housing Al
Area 100 cm 2 Connector MHV
Thickness 0.87 mg/cm2
Size 29.2 x 7 x 8.3 cm
Sensitivity 12,000 cpm/mR/hr
Temperature -40 to +60 oC Weight 0.59 kg
IAEA 25
Eberline FCM-4
“floor monitor”
The FCM4 floor contamination monitoring system performs
continuous surveying of flat terrain areas in
a one person operation. Using thin plastic scintillation
detectors, this highly sensitive monitor exhibits low gamma
background response and does not require
the maintenance of gas proportional systems.
The FCM4 features four 8" x 6" dual phosphor detectors for alpha/beta
detection. A laptop displays activity and survey speed in digital and bar graph
forms.
Survey speed is integrated, so that count time is adjusted automatically in

maximum sensitivity mode. In minimum count time mode, an alarm sounds
when the monitor moves too fast for an acceptable count time. In stop-and-
count mode, the display indicates when the FCM4 has traveled one detector
length, i.e., positioned for the next count.
IAEA 26
Eberline FCM-4
“floor monitor” (cont)
Detectors: 4 dual-phosphor scintillators, ZnS and plastic
Area: 8" L x 24" W total area (1240 cm 2)
Thickness: 0.75 mg/cm 2 window (screen 83% open)
Sensitivity: 500 dpm alpha & 2,000 dpm beta 137Cs, depending on
speed
Interface: Laptop computer mounted - semi-automatic calibration,
independent detector control, data logging.
Count
Modes: Maximum sensitivity, minimum count
time, stop-n-count, background
Detector
Height: Adjustable to 5" in 10 log steps
Power: Rechargeable batteries,
approximately, 8 hours operation
Dimensions: 35" L x 27" W (excluding handle)
Weight: 68 kg
IAEA 27
Ludlum Model 3
3
Survey Meter
COMPATIBLE DETECTORS: GM, scintillation
METER DIAL: 0 - 2 mR/hr, or 0 - 5k cpm, BAT TEST
MULTIPLIERS: X0.1, X1, X10, X100
LINEARITY: Reading within 10% of true value
HIGH VOLTAGE: Adjustable from 200 - 1500 volts
RESPONSE: fast (4 sec) or slow (22 sec) from 10 to 90% of final reading
BATTERY LIFE: 2000 hours with alkaline batteries
TEMPERATURE RANGE: -20 to 50oC
SIZE: 16.5 cm H X 8.9 cm W X 21.6 cm L
WEIGHT: 1.6 kg including batteries 14C
MULTIPLIERS: X0.1, X1, X10, X100, X1000
INTERNAL DETECTOR: Energy compensated GM
(used with X1000 scale only)
ENERGY RESPONSE: 15% 0.06-3 MeV (internal detector)
HIGH VOLTAGE: 900 volts
BATTERY LIFE: 600 hours with alkaline batteries
IAEA 28

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IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course

Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources

Part IIQuantities and Measurements

Module 3 Principles of Radiation Detection

• Upon completion of this section, the

• Explain the scintillation process

✓ Scintillation is a means of detecting the presence of

✓ Ionizing radiation interacts with a scintillator which

✓ This light interacts with a photocathode which results in

✓ The electron is multiplied in a photomultiplier tube that

FLOURESCENT PHOTOMULTIPLER TUBE

✓ The number of counts is dependent on the activity that is

✓ The energy of the electron, and consequently the

✓ By analyzing the energy and corresponding number of

• Scintillators may be used to detect various types of

• They are made of either inorganic or organic materials

• Inorganic materials have a higher light output, but have a

• Organic scintillators have a lower light output but have a

• The scintillator is optically connected to a

• The height of the output pulse of the PM tube is

• Alpha particles may be detected by placing a thin layer

• Photons interactions are detected using a scintillator

The photomultiplier tube is located in the handle.

• Scintillation detectors, when used with a

• The spectra can be analyzed to

Typical values for a NaI detectors are 7% to

Nuclide Peak Energy (MeV) Source

• Confirmation of the presence of a nuclide requires

• Selecting peaks for this determination requires:

• The 0.511 MeV peak is not desirable for identifying

✓ The following slides provide a sample of

✓ More detailed information concerning these and

This lightweight, low level instrument uses a

Five linear ranges

SIZE: 228.6 x 101.6 x 50.8 cm

INDICATED USE: I125 and x-ray survey

Application: Low Energy Gamma optimized for 125I

Detector Type: 1" diameter by 0.04" thick NaI(Tl)

(Remaining specifications common to all)

Survey speed is integrated, so that count time is adjusted automatically in

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