Alpha spectroscopy is used to identify and quantify radionuclides based on the alpha particles emitted in the decay process. Similar to Gamma Spectroscopy, energy spectra are generated with high precision alpha particle detectors and electronics and analyzed with special software. Typically, samples are measured following chemical separation to isolate the radionuclides of concern due to the complexity associated with correcting for these interferences with spectrum analysis software as is common for many Gamma Spectroscopy measurements.
Alpha Spectroscopy is a technique widely used in the following applications to name a few:
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Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring
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Health Physics Personnel Monitoring
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Nuclear Fuel Cycle processing
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Nuclear Forensics
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Materials Testing
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Geology and Minerology