A system for detecting a position of an ionizing radiation. The system includes a radiation detector including a plurality of cathode films, a plurality of anode strips sets, a plurality of insulator films, a conductive grid, and a drift region. Each set of the plurality of anode strips sets is disposed between a respective pair of adjacent cathode films of the plurality of cathode films. Each of the plurality of insulator films is disposed between a respective cathode film of the plurality of cathode films and a respective set of the plurality of anode strips sets. The conductive grid is disposed in parallel with the detection plane and exposed to the ionizing radiation. A drift region includes a region between the conductive grid and the detection plane. The radiation detector is configured to ionize a gas by generating an electric field inside the drift region.

A system for detecting a position of an ionizing radiation. The system includes a radiation detector including a plurality of cathode films, a plurality of anode strips sets, a plurality of insulator films, a conductive grid, and a drift region. Each set of the plurality of anode strips sets is disposed between a respective pair of adjacent cathode films of the plurality of cathode films. Each of the plurality of insulator films is disposed between a respective cathode film of the plurality of cathode films and a respective set of the plurality of anode strips sets. The conductive grid is disposed in parallel with the detection plane and exposed to the ionizing radiation. A drift region includes a region between the conductive grid and the detection plane. The radiation detector is configured to ionize a gas by generating an electric field inside the drift region.

Various configurations of electrically conductive, gas-sealed connections between two pieces of aluminum are described along with methods of making an electrically conductive, gas-sealed connection between two pieces of aluminum.

Various configurations of electrically conductive, gas-sealed connections between two pieces of aluminum are described along with methods of making an electrically conductive, gas-sealed connection between two pieces of aluminum.

Various configurations of muon drift tubes for use in muon tomography are described and involve aluminum end caps coupled to an aluminum tube, an electrode in each of the end caps, and an anode wire extending between the electrodes. A two-part electrically conductive, gas-sealed, connection is located between an aluminum end cap and the aluminum tube. Methods of making those configurations of muon drift tubes are also described.

Alpha particle detecting devices are disclosed that have a chamber that can hold a fluid in a tensioned metastable state. The chamber is tuned with a suitable fluid and tension such that alpha emitting materials such as radon and one or more of its decay products can be detected. The devices can be portable and can be placed in areas, such as rooms in dwellings or laboratories and used to measure radon in these areas, in situ and in real time. The disclosed detectors can detect radon at and below 4 pCi/L in air; also, at and below 4,000 pCi/L or 300 pCi/L in water. When the fluid is tensioned the presence of radon can be determined by the formation of bubbles which give off detectable signals including a shock wave, light-beam cutoff, or a light burst, any of which can be measured to derive information on radon and progeny radioactivity levels in air or water.

Alpha particle detecting devices are disclosed that have a chamber that can hold a fluid in a tensioned metastable state. The chamber is tuned with a suitable fluid and tension such that alpha emitting materials such as radon and one or more of its decay products can be detected. The devices can be portable and can be placed in areas, such as rooms in dwellings or laboratories and used to measure radon in these areas, in situ and in real time. The disclosed detectors can detect radon at and below 4 pCi/L in air; also, at and below 4,000 pCi/L or 300 pCi/L in water.