Portable alpha spectrometer

Many portable devices have been designed to detect γ-rays or alpha and beta particles. Most of the α-particle detectors give the total count as a result, without identifying the radionuclides existing in the sample. The development of a device allowing rapid and straightforward α-particle spectrometry would be very useful for detecting the radioactive contents of unknown samples. This work describes the construction of a portable device using silicon semiconductor detectors designed to rapidly detect and possibly identify alpha-emitting radionuclides. ► A portable device identifying alpha-emitting radionuclides has been constructed. ► Unknown samples can be identified. ► The device consists of an aluminium canister with the silicon detector inside.