New S-chamber Mid-Term electrets: Experimental characterization and uncertainty evaluation. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zorloni, Gabriele; Tugnoli, Francesca; Garlati, Luisella; Caresana, Marco
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 140(2020:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Electret ion chamber -- Calibration factor -- Environmental dosimetry -- Radon; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2020.106494
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: Electret ion chambers are widely used passive detectors, employed for measurements of radon activity concentration in air. These devices are made of a Teflon electret coupled to an interchangeable ion chamber. A new type of electret produced by Rad Elec Inc., named Mid-Term, is used together with the S-type (200 cm 3 ) chamber. It is designed to be operated in an intermediate range with respect to the standard Short-Term and Long-Term electrets. This work describes the complete characterization of such device, performed according to the ISO guidelines. The characterization was carried out in the secondary standard calibration laboratory of Politecnico di Milano Italy, and with a traceable radon chamber. The coefficients and equations presented can be used by operators to assess both the radon activity concentration and the related uncertainty, with the only requirement of the knowledge of the background gamma air kerma rate of the specific measurement site and its related uncertainty. Highlights: Characterization of intermediate range electrets ion chambers for radon detection. The E-Perm SMT conversion factors are estimated according to ISO 11665-4:2020. The precise uncertainties related to the derived coefficients are obtained. Conversion factors are estimated for both radon exposure and gamma irradiation. E-Perm SMT is compared to other configurations with reference to ISO 11665-4:2020.