A Novel Low Background Cryogenic Detector for Radon in Gas

A prototype of a new detector for measurements of radon in gases and radon emanation investigations is presented. It is based on the low-temperature collection of 222Rn on a stainless steel plate and the following counting of emitted alpha particles using a standard ORTEC semiconductor detector for alpha spectroscopy. A low background of the constructed system was achieved, in the order of 25 counts per day for the 222Rn energy window. Relatively high detection efficiency of 32% in 2π geometry, and large volume of the detector allow radon concentration measurements at the level of 12 mBq/m3 with a 30% accuracy. The detector can be also used to measure short-lived 220Rn. In the next step we plan to improve the system so that we could reach the sensitivity of 1 mBq/m3. This can be achieved by reducing the background, improving the detection efficiency and/or increasing the active volume of the detector (with respect to the prototype)