FOCUS: Vacuum Chambers for nuclear particle identification and counting,
Pictures of high school and college physics class demonstration vacuum chambers. These are simple enough to make at home, high vacuum is not needed> The gaskets are simple black rubber, the container looks like a soup pot from a steam table. Platforms hold the samples in the right orientation by clamping on those vertical rods.  
|
Re: FOCUS: Silicon reverse-biased diode Alpha Particle Spectrometry discussion
If anyone is interested in
SCA scalers I have several Eberline MS-2, MS-1 ?scaler / stabilized assay
meters for sale along with some Portable Davidson 2048 MCA¡¯s. I also have some
PIPS detectors available if you¡¯re building an alpha spec vacuum chamber.
Dud KK7IF
?
From:
[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2022 8:48
AM
To:
[email protected]
Subject: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear
decay studies. FOCUS: Silicon reverse-biased diode Alpha Particle Spectrometry
discussion
?
[Edited
Message Follows]
[Reason: added missing link]
This link is a good one to read to get your (our) feet wet:?
He explains how to use a silicon sensor, how to bias it and what to do with the
pulses it gives.
The route he chose is a direct one, using the CREMET modules linked in another
thread here.?
The stages are relatively simple compared to say, a Gamma Ray Scintillometer.
Silicon diode is reverse-biased with a low DCV, protected from light because
after all it is a photodiode, pulses are preamplified by a simple charged
coupled amplifier (usually a FET), further modified by a shaping amplifier,
then sent to a pulse height analyzer (PHA) of your choice.
The above article uses a Theremino MCA, but it could be a single channel
analyzer (SCA), a regular commercial Multichannel Analyzer (MCA), or some other
system, such as an ordinary oscilloscope to vies the pulses.
SCA's come in all shapes and sizes, some are internally preset as to which
channel, they will count, while others are adjustable externally with a 10-turn
mechanical counter, where each division is a certain number of keV. A few SCA's
are set up with the normal WINDOW/THRESHOLD adjustments but include a range
switch as well. With an adjustable SCA, you can manually scan the pulse train
to note counts in any of the MeV areas being produced by the sample. Peter has
already done this last test with the sensor/preamp board from his Alpha-6.
A WINDOW/THRESHOLD setting is done like this:
THRESHOLD (also called lower-limit-discriminator or LLD) is set to provide the
lower end where nothing lower than that is detected
WINDOW (also called ULD for upper-level-discriminator) set the upper end where
nothing higher than that is counted. This control effectively sets the width of
the window above the LLD which anything inside is detected and counter. The
WINDOW automatically tracks with the THRESHOLD setting, so moving the latter
will change both the upper and lower, keeping the width of the window that same
always.
It should be obvious that if the LLD dial has 100 divisions, and each division
is worth say100keV, then moving it until a peak occurs will give a good idea of
the energy of that peak by reading the dial.
Truly accurate FWHM measurements are made on Gamma Spec. probes that way in the
Home Lab.
Today's linked schematic is of the front end of another Eberline CAM, the
Alpha-3 Air Monitor. Like the Eberline A-6 CAM, the front end contains the
preamp and shaping amp right at the detector, sending those pulses back to an
analyzer board elsewhere in the device. There is a great write-up about all
these stages and steps in the A-3 CAM manual, also linked below.
I'm fortunate to have 2 of these A-3's in the Home Lab, with sensors.
Geo
|
FOCUS: Silicon reverse-biased diode Alpha Particle Spectrometry discussion
This link is a good one to read to get your (our) feet wet:? He explains how to use a silicon sensor, how to bias it and what to do with the pulses it gives. The route he chose is a direct one, using the CREMET modules linked in another thread here.? The stages are relatively simple compared to say, a Gamma Ray Scintillometer. Silicon diode is reverse-biased with a low DCV, protected from light because after all it is a photodiode, pulses are preamplified by a simple charged coupled amplifier (usually a FET), further modified by a shaping amplifier, then sent to a pulse height analyzer (PHA) of your choice. The above article uses a Theremino MCA, but it could be a single channel analyzer (SCA), a regular commercial Multichannel Analyzer (MCA), or some other system, such as an ordinary oscilloscope to vies the pulses. SCA's come in all shapes and sizes, some are internally preset as to which channel, they will count, while others are adjustable externally with a 10-turn mechanical counter, where each division is a certain number of keV. A few SCA's are set up with the normal WINDOW/THRESHOLD adjustments but include a range switch as well. With an adjustable SCA, you can manually scan the pulse train to note counts in any of the MeV areas being produced by the sample. Peter has already done this last test with the sensor/preamp board from his Alpha-6. A WINDOW/THRESHOLD setting is done like this: THRESHOLD (also called lower-limit-discriminator or LLD) is set to provide the lower end where nothing lower than that is detected WINDOW (also called ULD for upper-level-discriminator) set the upper end where nothing higher than that is counted. This control effectively sets the width of the window above the LLD which anything inside is detected and counter. The WINDOW automatically tracks with the THRESHOLD setting, so moving the latter will change both the upper and lower, keeping the width of the window that same always. It should be obvious that if the LLD dial has 100 divisions, and each division is worth say100keV, then moving it until a peak occurs will give a good idea of the energy of that peak by reading the dial. Truly accurate FWHM measurements are made on Gamma Spec. probes that way in the Home Lab. Today's linked schematic is of the front end of another Eberline CAM, the Alpha-3 Air Monitor. Like the Eberline A-6 CAM, the front end contains the preamp and shaping amp right at the detector, sending those pulses back to an analyzer board elsewhere in the device. There is a great write-up about all these stages and steps in the A-3 CAM manual, also linked below. I'm fortunate to have 2 of these A-3's in the Home Lab, with sensors. Geo 
|
I've been wanting one of those for a while,? but they're just a bit rich for my wanton spending of late...
Smoke Detector §²§ª§¥1 RID-1 RID1 KI1 Ionizing Chamber Radioisotope RID-6M
194954703552
|
Smoke Detector §²§ª§¥1 RID-1 RID1 KI1 Ionizing Chamber Radioisotope RID-6M
194954703552
|
Re: "Charge Sensitive" / "Charge Coupled (C.C)" "Transimpedance" / "FET Input" Preamplifier and Shaping Amplifier units
All good ones for the group Dud, I noticed them too. Keep them coming, especially ANY amateur alpha spectrometry links (people who have done it at home with less than NIM, or especially all home made.)/
Geo
----- Original Message ----- From: Dude <dfemer@...> To: [email protected]Sent: Sun, 19 Jun 2022 17:15:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. "Charge Sensitive" / "Charge Coupled (C.C)" "Transimpedance" / "FET Input" Preamplifier and Shaping Amplifier units
Try these ?http://instructor.physics.lsa.umich.edu/adv-labs/alpha_spectroscopy/alpha_spec.pdf https://www.ortec-online.com/-/media/ametekortec/third%20edition%20experiments/4-alpha-spectroscopy-silicon-charged-particle-detectors.pdf?la=en https://www.westmeier.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Alphapaper.pdf Dud From:
[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 12:55
PM
To:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta
particle nuclear decay studies. "Charge Sensitive" / "Charge
Coupled (C.C)" "Transimpedance" / "FET Input"
Preamplifier and Shaping Amplifier units ? [Edited
Message Follows] To follow up on the Cremat modules vis-a'-vis solid state particle
detectors, this PDF is one of the references I was looki8ng for, and gives a
nice explanation of the alpha parti8cle spectrometry apparatus.
There are at least one of not two other articles broaching this same subject,
the one I'm really looking for is the Dr. David Prutchi write up, if anyone has
that or the one from the Italian Group, please post in the is thread.
There should be educational documents of the German made unit that does alpha
and Beta with same detector by changing the bias Voltage. I'll link the name
and pictures of that device here as well, so members can be on the
lookout/search for the supporting docs. The on I have included the detector but
the little PCB was damaged by someone trying to repair or alter it, and
unfortunately the factory won't cut loose with a schematic!
edit: A really interesting device and papers:?
Geo
|
Re: "Charge Sensitive" / "Charge Coupled (C.C)" "Transimpedance" / "FET Input" Preamplifier and Shaping Amplifier units
Try these
?http://instructor.physics.lsa.umich.edu/adv-labs/alpha_spectroscopy/alpha_spec.pdf
https://www.ortec-online.com/-/media/ametekortec/third%20edition%20experiments/4-alpha-spectroscopy-silicon-charged-particle-detectors.pdf?la=en
https://www.westmeier.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Alphapaper.pdf
Dud
From:
[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 12:55
PM
To:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta
particle nuclear decay studies. "Charge Sensitive" / "Charge
Coupled (C.C)" "Transimpedance" / "FET Input"
Preamplifier and Shaping Amplifier units
?
[Edited
Message Follows]
To follow up on the Cremat modules vis-a'-vis solid state particle
detectors, this PDF is one of the references I was looki8ng for, and gives a
nice explanation of the alpha parti8cle spectrometry apparatus.
There are at least one of not two other articles broaching this same subject,
the one I'm really looking for is the Dr. David Prutchi write up, if anyone has
that or the one from the Italian Group, please post in the is thread.
There should be educational documents of the German made unit that does alpha
and Beta with same detector by changing the bias Voltage. I'll link the name
and pictures of that device here as well, so members can be on the
lookout/search for the supporting docs. The on I have included the detector but
the little PCB was damaged by someone trying to repair or alter it, and
unfortunately the factory won't cut loose with a schematic!
edit: A really interesting device and papers:?
Geo
|
Re: "Charge Sensitive" / "Charge Coupled (C.C)" "Transimpedance" / "FET Input" Preamplifier and Shaping Amplifier units
To follow up on the Cremat modules vis-a'-vis solid state particle detectors, this PDF is one of the references I was looki8ng for, and gives a nice explanation of the alpha parti8cle spectrometry apparatus.
There are at least one of not two other articles broaching this same subject, the one I'm really looking for is the Dr. David Prutchi write up, if anyone has that or the one from the Italian Group, please post in the is thread.
There should be educational documents of the German made unit that does alpha and Beta with same detector by changing the bias Voltage. I'll link the name and pictures of that device here as well, so members can be on the lookout/search for the supporting docs. The on I have included the detector but the little PCB was damaged by someone trying to repair or alter it, and unfortunately the factory won't cut loose with a schematic!
edit: A really interesting device and papers:?
Geo
|
Re: Pictures of inside the IMPEX ALPHA head.
¡thickness ISN¡±T too
demanding¡
Dud
?
Nick
Looking at Geo Photo¡¯s it
lifts the card up and only seals around the vacuum flow disk. It may rely on a
flexible cardboard card to get the seal. I would stick with cardboard or
something flexible. It does seem to me thickness is too demanding but that
would depend on the cam action.
Dud
?
?
I saw this picture before.? ?Were there others???
Dud, I figured there's a spec for the thickness of filter carriers with
a safe range.? I was imagining that it would need to be a special thinner
source disc to fit in there.? Was thinking a filter carrier might be made
of thin plastic or kydex pieces to sandwich filter.? ?Pictures of the
actual ones look like there's a gasket to seal it in.? ?An o-ring
would be too thick,? so maybe a thin smear of permatex or other gasket
material might work for that.?
Maybe I can close the filter lever without the card in place and use
feeler gauges to measure the closed dimension.?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mon, May 30, 2022, 2:07 PM Geo Dowell <GEOelectronics@...>
wrote:
4 screws and the "nose cone" top part of the sensor housing
separates. It has the sensor in it, hardwired with 6 wire umbilical cord. Sensor
faces down towards the filter, and the lever mechanism that allows filters to
be changed rotates the screened filter back downward to accommodate that. When
the lever is rotated back to park/locked location, the filter back module cams
up, pressing the filter home, blocking external light and air paths, while a
switch on the lever alerts the control box there was a filter change. The popup
dialog box must be ticked "was the filter replaced Y/N" to continue.
Aside from that action there are no other mechanisms present in the slot.
Below the back screen in the larger part of the sensor housing everything there
has to do with airflow, much of the plumbing has to do with the Hot-Wire
Anemometer air mass sensor, similar to what we have in the Eberline 6A head.
Three of the 6 wires from the sensor go to those mini coaxial plugs in the main
connector, the other 3 to regular signal pins. Most probably those first 3 are
sensor signals, while the other 3 are power to the sensor and presumably a
preamp/line driver in the "nose cone". No magic here, just updated
versions of 1980 tech. The magic is in the control box computer, and that's
what the patent covers.
Geo
|
Re: Pictures of inside the IMPEX ALPHA head.
Nick
Looking at Geo Photo¡¯s it
lifts the card up and only seals around the vacuum flow disk. It may rely on a flexible
cardboard card to get the seal. I would stick with cardboard or something
flexible. It does seem to me thickness is too demanding but that would depend
on the cam action.
Dud
?
?
I saw this picture before.? ?Were there others???
Dud, I figured there's a spec for the thickness of filter carriers with
a safe range.? I was imagining that it would need to be a special thinner
source disc to fit in there.? Was thinking a filter carrier might be made
of thin plastic or kydex pieces to sandwich filter.? ?Pictures of the
actual ones look like there's a gasket to seal it in.? ?An o-ring
would be too thick,? so maybe a thin smear of permatex or other gasket
material might work for that.?
Maybe I can close the filter lever without the card in place and use
feeler gauges to measure the closed dimension.?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mon, May 30, 2022, 2:07 PM Geo Dowell <GEOelectronics@...>
wrote:
4 screws and the "nose cone" top part of the sensor housing
separates. It has the sensor in it, hardwired with 6 wire umbilical cord.
Sensor faces down towards the filter, and the lever mechanism that allows
filters to be changed rotates the screened filter back downward to accommodate
that. When the lever is rotated back to park/locked location, the filter back
module cams up, pressing the filter home, blocking external light and air
paths, while a switch on the lever alerts the control box there was a filter
change. The popup dialog box must be ticked "was the filter replaced
Y/N" to continue. Aside from that action there are no other mechanisms
present in the slot.
Below the back screen in the larger part of the sensor housing everything there
has to do with airflow, much of the plumbing has to do with the Hot-Wire
Anemometer air mass sensor, similar to what we have in the Eberline 6A head.
Three of the 6 wires from the sensor go to those mini coaxial plugs in the main
connector, the other 3 to regular signal pins. Most probably those first 3 are
sensor signals, while the other 3 are power to the sensor and presumably a
preamp/line driver in the "nose cone". No magic here, just updated
versions of 1980 tech. The magic is in the control box computer, and that's
what the patent covers.
Geo
|
Re: Pictures of inside the IMPEX ALPHA head.
Cool,? thanks.? ?Yeah I bet the block has some spring in it to clamp without crushing stuff.?
Trying again with pics.
These are mostly of the bottom part.
Geo
|
Re: Pictures of inside the IMPEX ALPHA head.
Trying again with pics.
These are mostly of the bottom part.
Geo
|
Re: Pictures of inside the IMPEX ALPHA head.
I saw this picture before.? ?Were there others???
Dud, I figured there's a spec for the thickness of filter carriers with a safe range.? I was imagining that it would need to be a special thinner source disc to fit in there.? Was thinking a filter carrier might be made of thin plastic or kydex pieces to sandwich filter.? ?Pictures of the actual ones look like there's a gasket to seal it in.? ?An o-ring would be too thick,? so maybe a thin smear of permatex or other gasket material might work for that.?
Maybe I can close the filter lever without the card in place and use feeler gauges to measure the closed dimension.?
4 screws and the "nose cone" top part of the sensor housing separates. It has the sensor in it, hardwired with 6 wire umbilical cord. Sensor faces down towards the filter, and the lever mechanism that allows filters to be changed rotates the screened filter back downward to accommodate that. When the lever is rotated back to park/locked location, the filter back module cams up, pressing the filter home, blocking external light and air paths, while a switch on the lever alerts the control box there was a filter change. The popup dialog box must be ticked "was the filter replaced Y/N" to continue. Aside from that action there are no other mechanisms present in the slot. Below the back screen in the larger part of the sensor housing everything there has to do with airflow, much of the plumbing has to do with the Hot-Wire Anemometer air mass sensor, similar to what we have in the Eberline 6A head. Three of the 6 wires from the sensor go to those mini coaxial plugs in the main connector, the other 3 to regular signal pins. Most probably those first 3 are sensor signals, while the other 3 are power to the sensor and presumably a preamp/line driver in the "nose cone". No magic here, just updated versions of 1980 tech. The magic is in the control box computer, and that's what the patent covers. Geo 
|
Yes, it was a short run.? It's also only a 20x20 (outside) steel building on a newish slab that varies from 7-14 inches thick, sitting pretty much directly on limestone in central TX.? It's not sealed tight and has a small 4" exhaust fan near the peak in one end running continuously.? And before I turned the unit on to change settings, the door had been open most of the day to run an air hose out so there was a lot of fresh air exchange.
I did go and just turn the stack flow alarms off.
On Sun, Jun 12, 2022 at 8:10 PM Dude < dfemer@...> wrote:
Nick,
That looks? like outside
air for radon or its only been on a couple of minutes. The unit needs to run
about 60 minutes to get a fairly acute reading but getting pretty close should be
about 20mins with at least some Rn activity.
Dud
?
?
And not long after that.? That spectrum really starts to build
up.?
?
Not running for too long,? just while changing settings.? So
for has been open most of the day,? with small exhaust fan running too.
?
On Sat, Jun 11, 2022, 2:33 PM Dude <dfemer@...> wrote:
Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the? Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass
Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
?Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom
display Radon Chronic.? You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get
pCi/l.? The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll
die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking
for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that
the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of
the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the
screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have
generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it
0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet? but the
half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with
that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I
leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those
numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources
as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s
left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch
boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and? Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM
To: geoelectronics at ;
AlphaBetaSpectrometry
Cc: Alan Jose
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend
From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...>
To: geoelectronics@...
Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: This Weekend
"This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see.
Alan"
Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure
to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever-
pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases
the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed
up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming
from China.
George
|
Nick,
That looks? like outside
air for radon or its only been on a couple of minutes. The unit needs to run
about 60 minutes to get a fairly acute reading but getting pretty close should be
about 20mins with at least some Rn activity.
Dud
?
?
And not long after that.? That spectrum really starts to build
up.?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 7:52 PM Nick Andrews <nickjandrews@...> wrote:
Not running for too long,? just while changing settings.? So
for has been open most of the day,? with small exhaust fan running too.
?
On Sat, Jun 11, 2022, 2:33 PM Dude <dfemer@...> wrote:
Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the? Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass
Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
?Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom
display Radon Chronic.? You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get
pCi/l.? The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll
die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking
for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that
the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of
the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the
screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have
generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it
0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet? but the
half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with
that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I
leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those
numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources
as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s
left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch
boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and? Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM
To: geoelectronics at ;
AlphaBetaSpectrometry
Cc: Alan Jose
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend
From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...>
To: geoelectronics@...
Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: This Weekend
"This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see.
Alan"
Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure
to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever-
pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases
the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed
up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming
from China.
George
|
Nick we¡¯re not using stack
flow just turn it off. That is for a remote air flow sensor in the Stack.
Screen Calibration
instructions are in the manual on page 12-9. You¡¯ll need a touch pen with a small
tip to get it accurate.
Dud
?
?
Arrrrrrgh!? It's over 100 in the shop and I misread your
instructions and messed up the alarms under Stack Flow.? Can someone give
me the default settings for those??
And the screen calibration instructions,? can't seem to find those
right now.?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sat, Jun 11, 2022, 2:33 PM Dude <dfemer@...>
wrote:
Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the? Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass
Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
?Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom
display Radon Chronic.? You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get
pCi/l.? The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll
die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking
for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that
the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of
the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the
screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have
generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it 0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet? but the
half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with
that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I
leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those
numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources
as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s
left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch
boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and? Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM
To: geoelectronics at ;
AlphaBetaSpectrometry
Cc: Alan Jose
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend
From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...>
To: geoelectronics@...
Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: This Weekend
"This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see.
Alan"
Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure
to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever-
pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases
the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed
up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming
from China.
George
|
And not long after that.? That spectrum really starts to build up.?
Not running for too long,? just while changing settings.? So for has been open most of the day,? with small exhaust fan running too.
On Sat, Jun 11, 2022, 2:33 PM Dude < dfemer@...> wrote: Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the? Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
?Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom display Radon Chronic.? You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get pCi/l.? The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it 0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet? but the half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and? Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM
To: geoelectronics at ; AlphaBetaSpectrometry
Cc: Alan Jose
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend
From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...>
To: geoelectronics@...
Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: This Weekend
"This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see.
Alan"
Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever- pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming from China.
George
|
Not running for too long,? just while changing settings.? So for has been open most of the day,? with small exhaust fan running too.
On Sat, Jun 11, 2022, 2:33 PM Dude < dfemer@...> wrote: Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the? Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
?Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom display Radon Chronic.? You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get pCi/l.? The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it 0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet? but the half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and? Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM
To: geoelectronics at ; AlphaBetaSpectrometry
Cc: Alan Jose
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend
From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...>
To: geoelectronics@...
Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: This Weekend
"This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see.
Alan"
Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever- pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming from China.
George
|
Arrrrrrgh!? It's over 100 in the shop and I misread your instructions and messed up the alarms under Stack Flow.? Can someone give me the default settings for those??
And the screen calibration instructions,? can't seem to find those right now.?
Thanks.?
On Sat, Jun 11, 2022, 2:33 PM Dude < dfemer@...> wrote: Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the? Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
?Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom display Radon Chronic.? You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get pCi/l.? The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it 0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet? but the half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and? Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM
To: geoelectronics at ; AlphaBetaSpectrometry
Cc: Alan Jose
Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend
From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...>
To: geoelectronics@...
Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: This Weekend
"This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see.
Alan"
Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever- pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming from China.
George
|
Alan,
Here¡¯s how to set up the Impex SmartCAM to readout in pCi/ml and Flow in LPM
Record your original settings before changing things.
Then open the Monitor tab then Instrument options. Check only Bypass Filter Log on and calibrate in cpm
In the displayed column I¡¯ve moved these to display
Temp
Press
Flow
Alpha chronic
Alpha acute
Radon chronic
Radon Acute
Po-214 chronic
Po-214 acute
Po-212 chronic
Po-212 acute
Po-218 acute
P-218 chronic
When running I usually have the Top display show Radon Acute and the bottom display Radon Chronic. You¡¯ll need to multiply the pCi/ml x 1000 to get pCi/l. The EPA action level is 4 pCi/l at which point they think you¡¯ll die or go broke fixing it
On the Channel tab:
Set display units pCi ( should already be there)
I¡¯m using Long as 140 and short as 60 sec. it was 240 and 120 but I¡¯m looking for quick response.
Isotope window should be Radon Chronic ¨C you can¡¯t change it.
Change the half life from E-18 to 186 sec which is the Po-218 half life that the radon will be calc¡¯ed from. That will get rid of the E-19 extension
Check Archive data, Show differential, and show activity. That will get rid of the Radon pCih/l displayed and put radon activity pCi in its place on the screen.
Equilibrium factor is how much Po-218 has platted out on the walls. I have generally used 0.3 but they are using the industry standard of 0.5. leave it 0.5
The other tabs ( Po-212 chronic etc. ) I haven¡¯t played with yet but the half lives and time may have to be adjusted there as well and I¡¯ll fool with that later.
If you go to the View tab and check Raw data Channel it will display raw cps. I leave that unchecked unless I¡¯m doing a manual radon calc and need those numbers
When shutting down under the File tab use the Shut Down option.
OK lets report those radon room numbers. A this point don¡¯t sniff any sources as you only have one filter to play with and you¡¯ll be surprised to see what¡¯s left showing on the Spectra the next morning and just from room air.
To change flow from CFM to LPM readout
Go to the channels tab then to last tab Flow
Change the display units to l/m, Under the Alarms box
check first box change set boxes to ABOVE, 49.5, High Alarm ¨C leave all latch boxes unchecked
check second box, set box to BELOW, 19.8, and Low Limit.
check third box, set box to BELOW, 15, Low Fail
Dud
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Geo Dowell Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2022 5:29 AM To: geoelectronics at rallstech.net; AlphaBetaSpectrometry Cc: Alan Jose Subject: Re: Alpha and Beta particle nuclear decay studies. This Weekend From: Alan Jose <Alan.Jose@...> To: geoelectronics@... Sent: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 22:07:01 -0400 (EDT) Subject: This Weekend "This weekend I plan on getting in plenty of lab time. We¡¯ll see. Alan" Good Alan. If you set up the IMPEX, and want to remove the filter card, be sure to ask me or read the instructions how th release it by rotating that lever- pull out the locking pin, rotate that lever as far as it will go, that releases the clamping mechanism so the filter can go in and out without damage. I messed up my filter before understanding that, but already have new filters coming from China. George
|
Nick Andrews
