ChargingE-perm for radon measurements

• Published in: Radiation measurements Vol. 62; pp. 10 - 14
• Main Authors: Shweikani, R., Ka'aka, M., Bardan, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Charging; Detectors; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Electret; Electrets; Electric potential; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Geochronology; High voltages; Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology; Nozzles; Poling; Pollution, environment geology; Radon; Surface voltage; Voltage; Surface voltage; Electret; Poling; radon; detection; activity; radiation damage; radionucleids; irradiation; duration; Rn-222; particle track; radioactive decay; polarization; calibration
• ISSN: 1350-4487; 1879-0925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2013.12.007

Recharging of commercial E-perm electret detectors used for radon measurement has been investigated. The E-perm was recharged using the poling charging method where a high voltage is applied on a metal nozzle to polarize the electret material. The optimum parameters to recharge the electrets were 5 kV charging voltage and 7 mm height of the nozzle from the electret surface and using an insulator while charging. Under these conditions, charging of E-perm carried out for 15 s attained required voltage and retained the charge for long durations. The response of recharged E-perm for radon activity measurements in a radon calibration chamber and in an open environment was compared with that of CR-39 detectors. Results showed close proximity in radon values.
•Poling charging method was used to recharge the electret detectors.•Applying the chosen parameters were enough to reuse recharged electrets.•Similar response was obtained when compared with CR-39 for radon measurements.