Radiation detectors and methods of using the radiation detectors that provide a route for surface decontamination during use are described. The detectors utilize light illumination of an internal surface during use. Light is in the longer UV-to-near-infrared spectra and desorbs contamination from internal surfaces of radiation detectors. The methods can be carried out while the detectors are in operation, preventing the appearance of the negative effects of radioactive and non-radioactive contamination during a detection regime and following a detection regime.

A device configured to measure radioactivity emitted by a plurality of radionuclides is disclosed herein. The device includes a source cage with an outer ring that defines a cylindrical volume and includes an orientation notch and a plurality of holes configured to receive a radionuclide of the plurality of radionuclides. The device also includes a frame that includes an arm and a central rod, wherein the arm is configured to be coupled to the outer ring and includes an orientation pin. The central rod can be coupled to a gamma detector and positioned within the cylindrical volume when the arm is coupled to the outer ring of source cage. The orientation notch of the source cage is configured to engage the orientation pin of the arm and, when the orientation pin engages the orientation notch, the central rod is in a predetermined location of the cylindrical volume.

A device configured to measure radioactivity emitted by a plurality of radionuclides is disclosed herein. The device includes a source cage with an outer ring that defines a cylindrical volume and includes an orientation notch and a plurality of holes configured to receive a radionuclide of the plurality of radionuclides. The device also includes a frame that includes an arm and a central rod, wherein the arm is configured to be coupled to the outer ring and includes an orientation pin. The central rod can be coupled to a gamma detector and positioned within the cylindrical volume when the arm is coupled to the outer ring of source cage. The orientation notch of the source cage is configured to engage the orientation pin of the arm and, when the orientation pin engages the orientation notch, the central rod is in a predetermined location of the cylindrical volume.

There is a need for routine radon screening of homes, especially in states which require radon screening prior to sale, that are compact, inexpensive, do not require a professional to operate, and which, further, can yield a significant measurement in hours or minutes rather than days. The present invention provides for a combination of control of entry of radon by adjusting the separation between and the area of a multi-element shell, into a measuring chamber while excluding light and extraneous particulate material. This permits a design with a faster response time and also provides for the accurate measurement of individual scintillation events in a scintillating medium by imaging of, and discriminating specific energy levels related to the known energies of alpha particles emitted in the decay pathway of radon. This discrimination functions as an alpha-particle spectrometer and will. Thus, other background radioactive disintegrations or cosmic ray events will be filtered out of the signal. The invention will make use of the optics and imaging arrays as are in state-of-the-art mobile phone cameras. Use of camera components of mobile phones will permit cost savings since they are already in very large-scale production.

There is a need for routine radon screening of homes, especially in states which require radon screening prior to sale, that are compact, inexpensive, do not require a professional to operate, and which, further, can yield a significant measurement in hours or minutes rather than days. The present invention provides for a combination of control of entry of radon by adjusting the separation between and the area of a multi-element shell, into a measuring chamber while excluding light and extraneous particulate material. This permits a design with a faster response time and also provides for the accurate measurement of individual scintillation events in a scintillating medium by imaging of, and discriminating specific energy levels related to the known energies of alpha particles emitted in the decay pathway of radon. This discrimination functions as an alpha-particle spectrometer and will. Thus, other background radioactive disintegrations or cosmic ray events will be filtered out of the signal. The invention will make use of the optics and imaging arrays as are in state-of-the-art mobile phone cameras. Use of camera components of mobile phones will permit cost savings since they are already in very large-scale production.

A radiation field is detected or imaged using one or more junction devices in which a two-dimensional conductor layer is capacitively coupled to a semiconductor absorber layer. In the junction devices, pixel-level amplification and read-out are accomplished through the photogating of the devices by absorption within the absorber layer while it is in a state of deep depletion. When the two-dimensional conductor is graphene, we refer to a device operating in that manner as a deeply depleted graphene-oxide-semiconductor (D.sup.2GOS) detector.

A radiation field is detected or imaged using one or more junction devices in which a two-dimensional conductor layer is capacitively coupled to a semiconductor absorber layer. In the junction devices, pixel-level amplification and read-out are accomplished through the photogating of the devices by absorption within the absorber layer while it is in a state of deep depletion. When the two-dimensional conductor is graphene, we refer to a device operating in that manner as a deeply depleted graphene-oxide-semiconductor (D.sup.2GOS) detector.

The present disclosure provides a system for detection and measuring of a radioactive gas within a target environment. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a data processing system and a monitoring device disposed within the target environment. In some forms the monitoring device comprises: a radiation sensor configured to detect the concentration of a radioactive gas in the target environment, a transmitter electrically coupled to the radiation sensor and configured for transmitting a signal to the data processing system, and a receiver for receiving signals from the data processing system, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect the concentration of the radioactive gas at least every twenty minutes.

The present disclosure provides a system for detection and measuring of a radioactive gas within a target environment. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a data processing system and a monitoring device disposed within the target environment. In some forms the monitoring device comprises: a radiation sensor configured to detect the concentration of a radioactive gas in the target environment, a transmitter electrically coupled to the radiation sensor and configured for transmitting a signal to the data processing system, and a receiver for receiving signals from the data processing system, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect the concentration of the radioactive gas at least every twenty minutes.

A system for equalizing a pressure in an ionization chamber of a radiation device is provided. The system may include the ionization chamber including: a chamber housing including one or more chamber walls; a chamber volume inside the chamber housing, the chamber volume being filled with a radiation sensitive material; and a pressure adjustment apparatus operably coupled to the chamber volume via at least one wall of the one or more chamber walls, the pressure adjustment apparatus being configured to equalize a first pressure of the radiation sensitive material inside the chamber volume and a second pressure of ambient air outside the chamber housing.