System and method for ionizing radiation detection

Abstract

An ionizing radiation detection system can include a self-quenching sensing element having a substantially sealed enclosure containing a plurality of gases. The plurality of gases can include an ionizing gas to ionize in response to receiving a particle of ionizing radiation. The plurality of gases can also include a halogen quenching gas. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of gases can include an oxygen-containing gas in an amount of at least approximately 5% by pressure of a total pressure of the plurality of gases. In another particular embodiment, the partial pressure of the oxygen-containing gas can be from approximately 2666 Pa to approximately 16000 Pa. In another embodiment, the radiation detection system can include an anode having a composition that is more resistant to erosion by gasses within the sensing element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ionizing radiation detection system comprising:
 a self-quenching sensing element having:
 a substantially sealed enclosure containing a plurality of gases, the plurality of gases including:
 an ionizing gas to ionize in response to receiving a particle of ionizing radiation; and 
 a halogen quenching gas; and 
 
 an anode comprising a noble metal, nickel, or any combination thereof. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises platinum. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises palladium or gold. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises ruthenium, rhenium, iridium, osmium. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises an iron-containing wire and a material surrounding the wire, wherein the material comprises the noble metal, nickel, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode comprises nickel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the anode comprises a nickel alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the nickel alloy comprises a refractory metal. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the refractory metal includes titanium. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gases is substantially free of an oxygen-containing gas. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gases comprises an oxygen-containing gas in an amount no greater than approximately 3% by pressure of a total pressure of the plurality of gases. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gases comprises an oxygen-containing gas in an amount of at least approximately 3% by pressure of a total pressure of the plurality of gases. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ionizing gas includes helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the inert gas includes a Penning mixture. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the ionizing gas includes a first noble gas and a second noble gas having a lower ionization potential than the first noble gas, wherein the second noble gas is present in an amount of at least approximately 0.1% by pressure of the total pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the halogen quenching gas has a lower ionization potential than the second noble gas. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the halogen quenching gas includes a bromine-containing gas or a chlorine-containing gas. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the halogen quenching gas includes the bromine-containing gas in an amount of at least approximately 0.5% by pressure of the total pressure. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing element comprises a Geiger-Mueller tube. 
     
     
         20 . The ionizing radiation detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the halogen quenching gas comprises an inorganic halogen gas.