How can I measure and log the amount of radiation while being on a plane?

How can I measure and log the amount of radiation while being on a plane?

12/30/2013 5:11:38 AM

This page provides an excellent overview of radiation types and what you are most liable to encounter. For airline flights gamma-radiation is the most probable type. (Alpha particles are stopped by paper, Beta by thin foil or similar.

You can buy commercial instruments that will detect radiation for from about $200 on up.

An off the shelf "PIN diode" acts as an adequate gamma radiation detector in many cases. Here is a PIN diode radiation detector design from Maxim. Their notes are worth reading in this context. Source

They say:
Abstract:

  • A PIN photodiode, four low-noise op amps and a comparator are used to detect individual photons of gamma radiation. The schematic, design considerations and component selection are discussed.

    The circuit of Figure 1 includes a PIN photodiode that detects individual photons of gamma radiation. When a photon strikes a depletion region created by reverse bias on the photodiode, it produces a small amount of charge in proportion to the photon’s energy. The resulting signal is then amplified and filtered by four amplifiers and a final comparator distinguishes between the signal and noise. The comparator output pulses high each time a gamma photon with sufficient energy strikes the photodiode.

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$4000 on up products

$220 product. Russian made

$200 & $350 commercial products.

ADDED

Here is a description of a DIY real world Gamma Ray detector based on a PIN diode.
Made by VK2ZAY – Australian radio-amateur. A number of other on-web designs are based on his work.

Photodiode Gamma Ray detector

4 minute You tube description good.

Here is a Hackaday article describing the same article

Related videos – same device here and here and here – finished product – 10 minute video

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12/21/2013 10:42:47 AM

If you’d accept a calculation, rather than requiring potentially expensive equipment to measure it, there’s a website that does that for you:

Calculate the dose received

From one of their document pages:

Generally, detectors only provide correct readings for some of these
particles. To obtain a correct measurement, it is necessary to use a
series of detectors or certain meters that “see” all of the components
of cosmic radiation. Unfortunately, the use of such devices is not
suitable for normal conditions on commercial flights.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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