HgI/sub 2/ low energy beta particle detector

A HgI/sub 2/ device structure was designed and tested which allows HgI/sub 2/ to be used to make low energy beta particle detectors. The devices detected tritium beta particles with an efficiency of about 25%. A protective encapsulant has been developed which should protect the devices for up to 20 years and will attenuate only a small fraction of the beta particles. It is noted that the devices hold significant promise to provide a practical alternative to liquid scintillation counters and gas flow-through proportional counters.<
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