Xref: utzoo rec.radio.amateur.misc:2051 sci.electronics:19619
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!kitty!larry
From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: How to measure/detect X-ray (cheap)?
Summary: Not a simple task...
Keywords: x-ray emission measurement
Message-ID: <4902@kitty.UUCP>
Date: 25 Apr 91 16:16:46 GMT
References: <1991Apr23.172122.13076@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE>
Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.misc,sci.electronics
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 27

In article <1991Apr23.172122.13076@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE> buettneb@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE (Buettner) writes:
>I am a little concerned about my new home made power 
>amplifier. It uses a 4-1000A at an anode voltage of 
>about 5.5kV. I have heard that Gamma radiation is 
>produced at around 5kV.
>
>What I want to know is: How can I measure X-radiation (CHEAP)?

	There are several methods for measurement of x-ray radiation, such
as an ionization chamber and a scintillation detector.  However, neither of
these techniques are particularly simple or "cheap" to implement as a
do-it-yourself project.  One also has the problem of calibration for such
a device; after all, what's the point of building it if the indication has
no quantitative benchmark?

	My best suggestion, if you are really concerned, is to obtain a
photographic film badge dosimeter, fasten it to the outside of the device
in question, run the device for several hours, and then have the film
badge developed and evaluated with a densitometer.  There are outside
service organizations who will provide such a service, but you will probably
not like the cost.  The best approach would be to find a friend who works
for a hospital radiology or nuclear medicine department and has some "pull"
to do a little favor... :-)

Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp.  "Have you hugged your cat today?"
VOICE: 716/688-1231       {boulder, rutgers, watmath}!ub!kitty!larry
FAX:   716/741-9635   [note: ub=acsu.buffalo.edu] uunet!/      \aerion!larry