Theoretical investigation of a new method for detecting low level x-rays from VDT screens

Numerical simulation of the emission of ionizing radiation from visual display terminals is carried out. The features of time and frequency distribution of emitted x-rays are investigated. The characteristic peak in the time response of the x-ray detector is used to introduce a new method to develop a high sensitivity detector to measure x-ray radiation as low as 10-3 of the background level. The design and description of the new device are given. The level of natural radioactivity from the screen is estimated. It shows some disagreement between theoretical and experimental results. (author)