Citation

Zubair, H. T. and Bradley, D. A. and Khairina, M. D. and Oresegun, Adebiyi and Basaif, A. and Othman, J. and Rifiat, R. and Hamidi, F. and Rahman, L. and Ezzadeen, A. and Ibrahim@Ghazali, Siti Azlida and Mansor, Sarina and Alkhorayef, M. and Abdul Rashid, Hairul Azhar (2023) An extendable optical fibre probe survey meter for naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and other weak emitters. Scientific Reports, 13 (11918). ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

We have developed a radioluminescence-based survey meter for use in industries in which there is involvement in naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), also in support of those needing to detect other weak emitters of radiation. The functionality of the system confronts particular shortcomings of the handheld survey meters that are currently being made use of. The device couples a LYSO:Ce scintillator with a photodetector via a polymer optical fibre waveguide, allowing for "intrinsically safe" inspection within pipework, separators, valves and other such component pieces. The small-diameter optical fibre probe is electrically passive, immune to electromagnetic interference, and chemically inert. The readout circuit is entirely incorporated within a handheld casing housing a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detection circuit and a microprocessor circuit connected to an LCD display. A 15 m long flexible PMMA optical fibre waveguide is butt coupled to an ABS plastic probe that retains the LYSO:Ce scintillator. Initial tests have included the use of lab-based mixed gamma-ray sources, measurements being made in concert with a reference conventional GM survey-meter. Characterization, via NORM sources at a decontamination facility, has shown useful sensitivity, covering the dose-rate range 0.10- to 28 µSv h−1 (R-squared 0.966), extending to 80 µSv/h as demonstrated in use of a Cs-137 source. The system is shown to provide an effective tool for detection of radioactivity within hard to access locations, in particular for sources emitting at low radiation levels, down to values that approach background.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering > TK5101-6720 Telecommunication. Including telegraphy, telephone, radio, radar, television
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering (FOE)
Depositing User:	Ms Nurul Iqtiani Ahmad
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2023 01:26
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2023 01:26
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/11633

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