This article outlines a method for inferring and confirming the presence of radon gas with the Radiacode 103. This approach allows for qualitative detection without a dedicated radon detector by analyzing an exposed air filter in a low-background environment over a few hours. As radon in the air decays, its daughter products can become trapped […]
Radon Detection with Radiacode 103: A Practical Guide Read More »
Radon (Rn) is a radioactive chemical element with an atomic number of 86, generated by the decay of uranium and thorium. In its natural state on Earth, it exists as a colorless, odorless noble gas that can accumulate in homes, buildings, and basements, remaining undetectable without specialized equipment. The decay products of radon (also known
How to Test for Radon Using a Geiger Counter Read More »
Some Geiger counter manufacturers claim their devices can be used to test things like food, yet they provide no instructions on how to do so. Additionally, people on social media can be seen measuring objects with dosimeters or Geiger counters using the Sievert unit, with some even calling the results an “emitted dose rate.” This
How to Measure an Object with a Dosimeter or Geiger Counter Read More »
Thoriated glass lenses—sometimes used in vintage cameras to reduce chromatic aberration—may contain up to 30% Th-232 by mass. For this analysis of Th-232, the Radiacode will rely on gamma emissions from its decay products, with a focus on the 238.6 keV peak produced by Pb-212, as well as the 583 keV and 2614 keV peaks
Radiacode Calibration Using Thoriated Glass via Mobile Device (Android and Apple) Read More »
Autunite is a metamict mineral, meaning it can disintegrate over time due to radioactive decay and water loss, which weakens its crystal structure. Stabilization with a consolidant can halt this natural disintegration process by infusing the specimen with an acrylic polymer. The two most commonly used consolidants for stabilizing autunite are Paraloid B-72 and Butvar
Autunite Stabilization Procedure Read More »