title: A new method for evaluating radon and thoron alpha-activities per unit volume inside and outside various natural material samples by calculating SSNTD detection efficiencies for the emitted alpha-particles and measuring the resulting track densities.
abstract: A Monte Carlo computer code for determining detection efficiencies of the CR-39 and LR-115 II solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) for alpha-particles emitted by the uranium and thorium series inside different natural material samples was developed. The influence of the alpha-particle initial energy on the SSNTD detection efficiencies was investigated. Radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) alpha-activities per unit volume were evaluated inside and outside the natural material samples by exploiting data obtained for the detection efficiencies of the SSNTD utilized for the emitted alpha-particles, and measuring the resulting track densities. Results obtained were compared to those obtained by other methods. Radon emanation coefficients have been determined for some of the considered material samples.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Physics and Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco. misdaq@ucam.ac.ma
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Misdaq
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aitnouh
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khajmi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ezzahery
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrazzouk
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000512:Alpha Particles; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon