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LAN_403

Conundrum

Sat Mar 13 2010, 06:31PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

hmm..

seems a bit bulky but might work for what i need it for (low level x-ray imager)

might be handy for detecting the weak gamma rays from Am241 or Th232 (over a long time it could build up an image if the output window is installed onto a large cooled CCD sensor)

Anyone else tried this?
also am after a tube obviously :)

regards, -A

"(*"!U$(*!" said Pooh, as he launched his TV into next week due to football ownage...

Bjørn

Sat Mar 13 2010, 07:09PM

Registered Member #27 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 02:20AM
Location: Hyperborea
Posts: 2058

See here

and here

EEYORE

Sat Mar 13 2010, 07:13PM

Registered Member #99 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:10PM
Location: florida, usa
Posts: 637

One of our members here, Plazmatron, has already successfully made a radiation viewer with three night vision tubes stacked together. I bought one from him and am VERY pleased with its performance as well as the price. (Much cheaper than buying three from the source listed)

You can see gamma radiation from uranium rocks and x-rays from a tube. (Functions terrifically as a fluoroscope!).
Matt

Weston

Tue Mar 16 2010, 05:45AM

Registered Member #1316 Joined: Thu Feb 14 2008, 03:35AM
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 365

Seems interesting. Does anyone know of a source of image intensifier tubes for those who live in the USA?

MinorityCarrier

Tue Mar 16 2010, 03:29PM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

Google Gen-1, Gen-2 or Gen-3 tubes or night vision tubes.

Conundrum

Wed Mar 17 2010, 07:40AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

i have it on good authority that the Gen 0 and 1 tubes are often dumped when they are upgraded to Gen 2+.

maybe check out the army&navy surplus?
note. If they are missing a lead but otherwise look intact buy them anyway, as this can often be patched up with conductive epoxy and/or low melt 59c alloy.

i also discovered a kludge of bicycle repair cement + graphite powder :)

if they query the use, mention their application for examining electronics stuff and they might let you buy one. Don't mention radiation though

EDIT:- interestingly the very early self adhesive luminous signs using ZnS:Mg (reacts to red laser pointer) might be useable if backlit using infrared pulse during the camera's flyback period to dampen the persistence.
Maybe combine with an IR filtered webcam or underclocked CMOS camera to make a poor man's fluoroscope?

regards, -A

MinorityCarrier

Mon Mar 22 2010, 05:52AM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

I finally got around to arranging a test of a Gen-3 night vision headset with a 7uC Ra226 gamma source.

I could not 'see' the gamma source even when it was held right in front of the Gen-3 apreture in a very dark room. I could not detect with any degree of perception any increase in scintillation with the possible (remote) of a few extra 'bright pinpont flashes'.

My direct observation results in my opinion that gen-3 night vision tubes don't detect moderate level gamma radiation very well, if at all.

EEYORE

Mon Mar 22 2010, 06:42AM

Registered Member #99 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:10PM
Location: florida, usa
Posts: 637

MinorityCarrier wrote ...

I finally got around to arranging a test of a Gen-3 night vision headset with a 7uC Ra226 gamma source.

I could not 'see' the gamma source even when it was held right in front of the Gen-3 apreture in a very dark room. I could not detect with any degree of perception any increase in scintillation with the possible (remote) of a few extra 'bright pinpont flashes'.

My direct observation results in my opinion that gen-3 night vision tubes don't detect moderate level gamma radiation very well, if at all.

You need scintillation material to see.

Some x-ray image intensifier screen should work. This is how the fluoroscopes that Plazmatron sells work.

Matt

Conundrum

Mon Mar 22 2010, 08:50AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4061

heh...

apparently they use disposable film in old x-ray film modules, so maybe you can obtain one from a helpful dentist or vet?

they throw them away after each use for safety reasons.

also expired films have perfectly good scintillators :)
-A

MinorityCarrier

Mon Mar 22 2010, 02:58PM

Registered Member #2123 Joined: Sat May 16 2009, 03:10AM
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 312

The way I read the posts it seemed that it was suggested the night vision tubes would detect gamma directly.

I have a 6199-PMT scintillator probe (Victoreen) and a (damaged) KI crystal that I have played with in the past with regards to scintillation detecting.

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