Diamond-Based Microfluidic Alpha Spectrometer for MC&A

Conducting isotopic-level material control and accountancy of radioactive materials in fluids is challenging for multiple reasons. Many optical or electronic methods only provide elemental information. Gamma-based methods can identify the presence of specific isotopes, but geometric challenges result in difficulties quantifying the total amount of concentration within the fluid. Alpha-based techniques are typically not possible due to their short (10-20 μm) range in dense matter. In this presentation, we will present a novel sensor design that utilizes microfluidic structures to limit the energy loss of alpha particles. This enables the recovery of alpha particle energy, and therefore, identification of isotopes. If the volume of the microfluidic structures is known, then the concentration and total mass of each isotope can be determined.