Radioluminescence mapping of 241 Am-doped environmental samples and nuclear materials

In the framework of the project RemoteALPHA, several radioluminescence scanning systems were developed to establish the metrological basis for the optical detection of alpha-emitting radionuclides. This work demonstrates an application of the ultraviolet imaging system for the characterization of low-activity alpha sources: contaminated environmental samples, and nuclear materials featuring depleted uranium. The measurements were performed at a reference distance of 2 m from the source. The weakest samples were measured in a chamber with an N 2 + NO gas atmosphere. Using the scanning method, the total surface activity was calculated for analyzed samples, with the lowest reported value of just 51 Bq.