Products

Health Physics Standards

Surface-Contamination Monitors

Standards for alpha, beta and gamma-ray surface contamination monitors can be supplied in many different sizes. Alpha and beta standards are Mylar™ covered. As discussed in the section on air particulate and wipe test standards these Mylar™-covered activity calibrated standards are vastly superior to emission-rate electrodeposited standards for contamination determinations. The Mylar™ covering can be 0.5, 0.85 or 1.7 mg/cm2 depending on the application. Gamma-ray contamination monitor standards are contained in a more durable plastic covering.

Analytics' surface contamination standards are prepared gravimetrically from calibrated solutions. A wide variety of alpha, beta or gamma-ray emitting radionuclides can be used. The preparation is performed using a computer-controlled applicator that applies a large number of microliter sized drops in the specified active area as described previously. Geometries prepared include the standard square 10 x 10 cm, 10 x 15 cm, and up to 1 x 1 m standards. Other configurations are available. As with all of Analytics' standards, after preparation each standard is QC tested on a calibrated detector and the efficiency data must agree with at least one independent standard in the same geometry. Analytics maintains extensive files on previously prepared contamination monitor standards for QC comparisons.