Monte Carlo simulation of a simple and fast method to experimentally determine the partial sensitivity of a bare LR-115 detector using planar alpha sources

Partial sensitivity of the bare LR-115 detector (K_B) to radon or thoron, or any of their airborne progeny, is an essential component in the detector's calibration factor. Its experimental determination is complex, requires expensive and sophisticated instruments and facilities, and is time consuming. Using the TRACK_TEST and SRIM programs, and Monte Carlo simulations, the possibility of a simple and fast method to determine K_B experimentally was demonstrated. The method is based on calculations of the average value of detection efficiencies (i.e., the cumulative efficiency) for alpha particles emitted by a planar alpha source placed at different distances from detectors. Source radius can be estimated from the energy of emitted alpha particles, detector radius, and parameters dependent on etching conditions. Varying the emission energy of alpha particles, the source and detector radii, and the source-detector distance step length, an average value of 0.02 tracks. cm⁻² per Bq.d.m⁻³ (0.22 cm) was obtained assuming standard etching conditions. In addition to alpha electrodeposited sources, sealed sources such as those built with anodized aluminium sheets proved to be suitable for this proposal. Experimentally, K_B can be estimated from: track densities registered in detectors exposed at different distances from the source, range of distances that produce visible tracks, and source activity. The developed method is much simpler and faster than the conventional method that uses standard sources of radon and its progeny and large chamber with controlled conditions.