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μDOSE+

DESCRIPTION

μDOSE+ is an advanced system, equipped with active shielding, designed for measuring low-level alpha and beta radiation and assessing the dose rate of ionising radiation in sediment and ceramic samples.

μDOSE+ is an advanced, compact system for high-precision assessment of ionising radiation’s dose rate in sediment and ceramic samples. This upgraded device comes equipped with a triple scintillator, enabling low level accurate measurements. The scintillator can be reused extensively, offering practically cost-free maintenance compared with the other α and β counting systems.

Maintaining the key features of the original μDOSE, the μDOSE+ not only allows for separate measurements of α and β particles, but now also features active shielding. This is enhanced by state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms for a significant reduction of background counts.

Unique advantages of the μDOSE+ System:

  • Compact size: W 35 cm × L 35 cm × H 41 cm;
  • Combination of advanced active and passive shielding techniques;
  • Triple scintillator integrated with machine learning algorithms for exceptional α and β particle separation and active background reduction;
  • Equipped with an active 222Rn and 220Rn removal system;
  • Features an improved counting chamber which provides higher counting efficiency and facilitates easier maintenance.

Other key advantages of the μDOSE+ System:

  • Small sample mass, down to ca. 0.5 g;
  • Scintillator requires no replacement;
  • Combined alpha and beta counting allows for determining potassium contents along thorium and uranium;
  • Decay pairs detection: 220Rn/216Po, 219Rn/215Po, 212Bi/212Po and 214Bi/214Po;
  • Multiple systems can be connected to a single PC;
  • Both scintillator and photomultiplier sizes can be adjusted based on application requirements;
  • Measurement time for most applications of 1-2 days (dependent on the sample size and radioactivity);
  • Comprehensive software enables dose rate calculations taking into account varying conditions;
  • Detailed reports are generated to accelerate the process of dose rate calculation;
  • No running costs connected with use of materials;
  • Guaranteed assistance with installation and operation of the system.

NEW FEATURES

Active shielding, 222Rn and 220Rn removal system

μDOSE+ boasts a state-of-the-art active shield, enhanced with machine learning algorithms, for notable reduction in background counts. Moreover, approximately 20 kg of copper has been added, encompassing the photomultiplier and drawer, to ensure an optimal environment for precise measurements. A 222Rn and 220Rn removal system circulates air within the detector system and passes it through an activated charcoal filter.


PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

The system’s operating principal is the measurement of the amplitude of each individual pulse, the pulse shape and the time interval between subsequent pulses.

This is achieved thanks to the built-in pulse analyzer that identifies and records subsequent pulses, giving information about gross α and β counts detected.

Moreover, the pulse analyzer allows to detect decay pairs arising from the decays of: 220Rn/216Po, 219Rn/215Po, 212Bi/212Po and 214Bi/214Po. Decay pairs and α and β particle count rates are used to quantify 238U, 235U and 232Th decay chains. The excess β count rate that cannot be attributed to these decay series is used to estimate the 40K radioactivity.

The principle of operation is described in more detail in the R&D section. Read here


μDOSE+ System


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Annual dose rate module for OSL/TL/EPR dating

The μDOSE system is supplied with easy-to-use software for radiation dose rate calculation. The α, β and γ dose rates are obtained with high precision thanks to the built-in Monte Carlo and probabilistic modules, taking full advantage of the statistical properties of the measurements performed by the instrument. This means that dose rate uncertainty and counting time is significantly enhanced. Read here

The built-in dose rate module allows to account for all the factors described in literature, like α particle effectiveness (expressed by the a-value), grain sizes, chemical etching, water content, relative sample position in the investigated profile and cosmic dose rate. These corrections are needed to obtain reliable annual dose rates in trapped charge dating.

Depending on specific user needs, measurement time can span from 24 hours up for samples of typical radioactivities to 48 hours for low-level radioactivity samples.

μDOSE+ software

Each μDOSE+ system is delivered with a dedicated PC that has pre-installed software for measurements and data analysis. Software allows for conducting measurements, calibrations of 238U, 235U, 232Th decay chains and 40K and dose rate calculations easily and quickly, utilizing its intuitive graphical interface. Moreover, for the user’s convenience, the input data are pre-filled with the most recently obtained values. This greatly simplifies and speeds up the dose rate calculation procedure.

Other

Due to strong radioactive sources installed in TL/OSL readers it is advised not to operate the μDOSE+ system in the same laboratory room or to provide sufficient distance between the μDOSE+ system and TL/OSL readers. Sample preparation for the μDOSE+ system requires balance with 0.001 g precision and a ball-mill. Other materials and consumables are provided with each μDOSE+ system.


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μDOSE+ SYSTEM

System description 
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Dose rate module
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