1 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro A miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro, A.Pappalardo in collaboration with Microsensor s.r.l. The importance of the “culture of radiation” What’s on the market A new miniradmeter? Making the public more familiar with radiation

2 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro radiation is part of our lives

3 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro underestimations and big mistakes from the past...

4 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro Radiation is no longer invisible The iRad is a revolutionary device that allows you to detect radiation using your Apple iOS device. The iRad works with the iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, and 3G. It also works with all generations of iPads and iPods. The free iRad Geiger app allows you to map, log, alarm, and measure radiation and seamlessly share this information in the cloud.

5 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro iRad Geiger

6 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro Elegant and Robust Carbon Fiber Design The carbon fiber body of the iRad Alpha was designed to be tough and light. Carbon fiber is virtually transparent to radiation, which minimizes shielding of the detector from the enclosure. iRad Alpha

7 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro

8 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro Gamma Pix Software Products can add radiation detection capability to hundreds of millions of existing and already deployed smart phones, webcams and surveillance cameras. The patented technology (U.S. Patents 7,391,028 & 7,737,410 plus foreign filings) uses web downloadable software to analyze, within seconds, video or still images for the telltale signature of gamma radiation hitting the sensor. The gamma rays light up pixels near the location of impact as shown in the animation below. The two figures below left show image data taken during tests at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Gamma Pix

9 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro Very smart idea to exploit an already existing “sensor” with a few euros application but: Very slow response (if you want reliability) or very approximate (more from Jef) Response depends on the type of CCD sensor that the device uses. If a phone /tablet is produced with different camera from the series one, the result is unpredictable The app exists in several versions depending on the model of the iPhone, but not all models are supported. It is not possible to obtain the spectrum of the radiation (the thickness of the sensor is inadequate). An app based on a sensor not guaranteed (and reproducible) may give unpredictable results and since our target is the “culture of radiation”, the whole thing could be strongly counterproductive (false alarms and panic, imagine what happens if facebook users start posting wrong higher rates). A sensor with known and well defined characteristics is needed.

10 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro current version Gamma spectrum with 137 Cs source FWHM minimum overall detector size ≈ 4mm x 4mm x 4mm minimum overall sensitive volume 3mm x 3mm x 3mm the rest is battery, discrete components electronics, empty space could be integrated inside a mobile phone or tablet scintillator (CsI) & photosensor 4mm cost for moderate quantities ( pcs) ≈ € 35 spectrum obtained in ≈5min with a source and 2x2 mm CsI (30K events)

11 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro sensor electronics Gamma spectrum with 22 Na source (2” detector, same MCA) cost for moderate quantities ( pcs) ≈ € 50 includes signal amplification, MCA, USB connection 25mm operated from 12V to 24V 25mm spectrum obtained with a 50x50 mm equivalent electronics and 2” CsI

12 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro Gamma spectrum with 137 Cs source FWHM gives rise to additional 1cps 2 MBq 137 Cs or 20kBq (tiny lab) doubles the natural background

13 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro 2.7MBq gamma source dose at 1m ≈ mSv/h household radon international limit for nuclear workers

14 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro provide a thin mica window insert an aluminum absorber sheet device sensitive to beta radiation (discrimination) device sensitive to alpha and beta radiation (more suited for a plug-in application)

15 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro use a neutron converter (INFN patent pending) Use plastic shield as moderator: device sensitive to neutrons device sensitive to thermal neutrons (definitely more suited for a plug-in application)

16 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro

17 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro radiation is part of our lives

18 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro cosmic rays, food, radon, seawater

19 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro nuclear medicine, industry, reactors, radwaste storage

20 Miniradmeter: a miniature detector for gamma rays (and neutrons?) G.Alimonti, P.Finocchiaro example: gamma exposure in USA