Materials that are transparent to alpha particles?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the transparency of materials to alpha particles, specifically highlighting the use of mica windows in Geiger counters due to their effectiveness. While no material is perfectly transparent to alpha particles, extremely thin foils, including metals and potentially graphene, can allow significant passage of these particles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of material stability and thickness, as well as the need for clarity on what "transparent" means in this context, referencing alpha cross sections available at the National Nuclear Data Center.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of alpha particle interactions with matter
  • Familiarity with Geiger counters and their components
  • Knowledge of material properties, particularly thickness and stability
  • Basic grasp of nuclear reaction cross sections
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of graphene in radiation detection
  • Explore the alpha cross sections available at the National Nuclear Data Center
  • Investigate the use of various thin metal foils in particle detection
  • Study the principles of particle scattering and nuclear reactions
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, radiation safety professionals, and anyone involved in the design and optimization of radiation detection systems.

Sven Andersson
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A mica window is used on Geiger counters. The thin mica is supposedly very transparent to alphas. But are there other materials? Extremely thin metal foils?
 
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Nothing is perfectly transparent (apart from vacuum), but in general very thin foils let most particles pass through. You need a material with sufficient stability which puts a lower limit on thickness.
 
Nothing is transparent to alphas. All you can do is use materials that can be made very thin.
 
Maybe graphene is an idea? Or a few layers of graphene?
 
When you say "transparent", what you do you mean exactly? Low total cross section (including scattering), low cross section for nuclear reactions in general, low cross section for specific nuclear reactions, ...?

And is there a particular alpha energy that you're looking at?

Again, I recommend checking out and comparing the alpha cross sections at Sigma. They don't have a lot of elements, but they have most of the light ones, which are probably going to be your best bet.
 

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