• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.333-336
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• 2016

In this study, a beta monitoring sensor was developed as a part of basic research for quantitative beta monitoring underwater, and its performance was evaluated using a calibration source. A beta detection sensor was manufactured by using SiPM(silicon photomultiplier) and $CaF_2$:Eu, YAG:Ce, YAP:Ce scintillator. A large-area light guide was introduced to improve beta-ray detection efficiency. As calibration sources, the Beta source $^{90}Sr$, which is the main fission product of a nuclear accident, and the gamma source $^{137}Cs$ are used. In the performance evaluation, it is confirmed that scintillator $CaF_2:Eu$ gives the highest beta-ray detection response. Compared to gamma ray, beta-ray detection responsivity and detection efficiency are verified. Therefore, this study is expected to contribute to basic research in the development of an underwater beta-ray monitoring system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.2748-2754
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• 2022

Because existing reactant coolant system (RCS) leakage detection mechanisms are insensitive to small leaks, a real-time, direct detection system with a detection threshold below 0.5 gpm·hr^-1 was studied. A beta-ray detection system using a silicon detector with good energy resolution for beta rays and a low gamma-ray response was proposed. The detection performance in the leakage condition was evaluated through experiments and simulations. The concentration of ¹⁶N in the coolant corresponding to a coolant leakage of 0.5 gpm was calculated using the analytic method and ORIGEN-ARP. Based on the concentration of ¹⁶N and the measurement of the silicon detector with ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y, the beta-ray count rate was estimated using MCNPX. To evaluate the effect of gamma rays inside the containment building, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated. To evaluate the count rate ratio, the radiation field inside the containment building was simulated using MCNPX, and response evaluation experiments were performed using beta and gamma rays on the silicon detector. The expected beta-ray count rate at 0.5 gpm leakage was 7.26 × 10⁵ counts/sec, and the signal-to-background count rate ratio exceeded 88 for a transport time of 10 s, demonstrating its suitability for operation inside a reactor containment building.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.393-398
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• 2001

The non-combustible RI wastes disposed of in hospital every year emit ${\gamma}$-ray or ${\beta}$-ray but their activities are very low to the extent of background. Development of more simple methods is needed because the conventional detection methods are so ineffective and complex. In this study, to solve this problem, detection method using efficiency curve for ${\gamma}$-ray emitting radioactive wastes measurement is proposed and experimental detection efficiency equation is also determined through HPGe's standard specimen measurement. For ${\beta}$-emitting radioisotopes detection, new measurement method using detection efficiency estimated by Monte Carlo simulation and SBD measurements is also proposed. According to the results of this paper, the unknown activity of low-level radioactive wastes without LSC requiring the preparation of standard sample and measurement for standard source detection efficiency could be determined efficiently and simply about ${\pm}17%$ in errors by using the theoretical detection efficiency and the SBD measurement result.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1259-1265
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• 2020

A beta ray scanner was proposed for in-situ discrimination of beta and gamma ray radioactivity. This scanner is based on the principle that gamma and beta rays experience different changes in detection efficiency in scintillators with different geometries, especially with regard to the scintillator thickness. The ratios of the counting rates of gamma rays (R_gamma), beta rays (R_beta), and sample measurements (R_total) in a thick scintillator to those in a thin one are reported. The parameter X_thick, which represents the counting rate contributed by beta rays to the total counting rate in the thick scintillator, was derived as a function of those ratios. The values of R_gamma and R_beta for ⁶⁰Co and ⁹⁰Sr sources were estimated as 3.2 ± 0.057 and 0.99 ± 0.0049, respectively. The estimated beta ray contributions had relative standard deviations of 2.05-4.96%. The estimated range of the beta rays emitted from ⁹⁰Sr was 19 mm as per the Monte Carlo N-Particle simulation, and this value was experimentally verified. Homogeneous and surface contaminations of ⁶⁰Co and ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y were simulated for application of the proposed method. The counting rate contributed by the beta rays was derived and found to be proportional to the concentration of ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y contamination.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.307-308
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• 2017

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2006

A small radiation detection system is necessary for the direct characterization of alpha/beta-ray contamination inside pipes generated during the decommission of a nuclear facility. In this work, the new type phoswich detector consisting of the ZnS(Ag) and plastic scintillator for ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ simultaneous counting was designed as part of a development of a equipment capable of monitoring radiological contamination inside pipes. The optimum counting conditions in dimensions of scintillator and a detection system were experimentally confirmed and a performance of alpha/beta-ray discrimination was evaluated. As a result, optimum conditions of a detector suitable for monitoring radiological contamination inside pipes and a feasibility of application to pipe-inside were confirmed.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2008

Dual scintillator for simultaneous alpha- and beta-ray counting used by detection materials of a surface contamination monitor was developed. In this study, preparation method was not a heat melting method but a solvent method, by which the counting material was manufactured by dissolving the polymer materials with solvent. It was simplified the preparation process. Plastic scintillator for beta-ray counting was prepared by solidifying the casting solution mixed with organic scintillator, polymer, and solvent. ZnS(Ag) scintillator layer was prepared by screen printing the paste solution mixed with ZnS(Ag), paste, and solvent onto the plastic layer. The good counting ability for alpha- and beta-ray using the ZnS(Ag)/plastic dual scintillator prepared and possibility for the counting material of surface contamination monitor was confirmed.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.150-158
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• 2014

Radiation-related practitioners and radiation-treated patients at medical institutions are inevitably exposed to radiation for diagnosis and treatment. Although standards for maximum doses are recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICPR) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), more direct and available measurement and analytical methods are necessary for optimal exposure management for potential exposure subjects such as practitioners and patients. Thus, in this study we developed a system for real-time radiation monitoring at a distance that works with existing portable device. The monitoring system comprises three parts for detection, imaging, and transmission. For miniaturization of the detection part, a scintillation detector was designed based on a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM). The imaging part uses a wireless charge-coupled device (CCD) camera module along with the detection part to transmit a radiation image and measured data through the transmission part using a Bluetooth-enabled portable device. To evaluate the performance of the developed system, diagnostic X-ray generators and sources of $^{137}Cs$, $^{22}Na$, $^{60}Co$, $^{204}Tl$, and $^{90}Sr$ were used. We checked the results for reactivity to gamma, beta, and X-ray radiation and determined that the error range in the response linearity is less than 3% with regard to radiation strength and in the detection accuracy evaluation with regard to measured distance using MCNPX Code. We hope that the results of this study will contribute to cost savings for radiation detection system configuration and to individual exposure management.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.241-251
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• 2007

Purpose: To identify the effects on tuberculosis mortality of a tuberculosis control program conducted at 108 community health centers in terms of structure and process. Methods: The dependent variable was tuberculosis mortality, and the independent variables were the structure(type of centers, staff, nurses, doctors, budget) and process(chest X-ray checking, immunization, case detection, health education, patients registering & managing) of the tuberculosis control programs at the community health centers. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and stepwise regression analysis. Result: Tuberculosis morality was positively correlated with type of centers(rural area)(p<0.01), but negatively correlated with type of centers(large cities) (p<0.01), (middle cities)(p<0.05), staff FTE(p<0.05), and number of nurses(p<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that type of centers(rural area)($\beta$=0.457) and case detection($\beta$=0.234) had a significant effect on tuberculosis mortality. Conclusion: Ultimately, this study will provide information to improve the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programs in community health centers.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.34.2-34.2
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• 2016

X-ray cavities are typically detected as surface brightness depression in X-ray diffuse emission from hot gas in high resolution X-ray images (i.e., Chandra and XMM-Newton). Showing the coincidence of location with radio jets, X-ray cavities imply that the radio jets interact with interstellar/intergalactic medium. It is important to understand them since they can be a clue of understanding AGN feedback to their host galaxies. To understand the physics of the AGN feedback, X-ray cavity has been actively studied while there are only a few statistical studies on X-ray cavity based on small or incomplete samples. Hence, a systematic study with a large sample is needed. With the condition of sufficient X-ray photons to detect surface brightness depression, we constructed a large sample of 133 galaxy clusters, galaxy groups, and individual galaxies to investigate X-ray cavities. We detected 201 cavities from 94 objects using two detection methods (i.e., beta-modeling and unsharp masking method), and confirmed the cavity size-distance relation over a large dynamical range. The size-distance relation does not vary for different environments (i.e., galaxy cluster, groups, and individual galaxies), suggesting that there is little environmental effect on the formation of X-ray cavity.