- #1
Hunter235711
- 14
- 1
Hello everyone,
I have been playing around with Americium-241 from a smoke detector, and I was wondering where I could find a phosphorescent screen that would scintillate when hit with an alpha particle. Also, I was wondering what the different types of phosphor screens commonly used are and how their characteristics differ. I read that the amount of Americium in a smoke detector emits ~37,000 alpha particles per second, but I don't know how bright of an image this would form on a phosphorescent screen.
Also, I have a Geiger counter with a metal shielded tube that can detect the Am-241 emissions. Since alpha particles can't penetrate this metal shield, am I correct in assuming that it is also emitting Gamma radiation?
Thanks,
-Hunter
I have been playing around with Americium-241 from a smoke detector, and I was wondering where I could find a phosphorescent screen that would scintillate when hit with an alpha particle. Also, I was wondering what the different types of phosphor screens commonly used are and how their characteristics differ. I read that the amount of Americium in a smoke detector emits ~37,000 alpha particles per second, but I don't know how bright of an image this would form on a phosphorescent screen.
Also, I have a Geiger counter with a metal shielded tube that can detect the Am-241 emissions. Since alpha particles can't penetrate this metal shield, am I correct in assuming that it is also emitting Gamma radiation?
Thanks,
-Hunter