IONIZATION SURFACE-ACTIVITY MONITOR FOR TRITIUM

On the basis of the principle of gas ionization, a simple, compact and portable surface activity monitor for tritium has been conceived. Theoretical analysis suggest that the ionization surface activity monitor would have a sensitivity of about 74 Bq cm(-2), this sensitivity value having being determined far a measurement surface area of 1 cm(2) and current measurement limit of 1 fA. Experimentally, several proof of principle tests have been carried out demonstrating the validity and viability of the ionization surface activity monitor. The results show that the ionization surface activity monitor is a simple, direct and effective tool for the measurement of tritium activity on surfaces and in the near surface regions.