Alpha Spectrometry
Definition
An analytical technique for measuring the energy spectrum of alpha particles emitted by radionuclides. Used in the Litvinenko investigation to detect and quantify Po-210 in biological samples, environmental swabs, and surface samples at concentrations not detectable by standard radiation survey instruments.
- Measures
- Energy spectrum of alpha particles
- Notable case use
- Litvinenko Po-210 investigation
- Sample types
- Biological, environmental, surface swabs
- Sensitivity advantage
- Detects levels below standard survey meters
Common questions
Why was standard radiation survey equipment insufficient in the Litvinenko case?+
Polonium-210 is a pure alpha emitter, and alpha particles are absorbed by air and thin material over very short distances, so handheld survey meters designed for gamma or beta radiation could not reliably detect the low activity levels present on swabs and samples.
What does alpha spectrometry add beyond simply detecting radioactivity is present?+
It resolves the energy spectrum of emitted particles, which lets analysts identify the specific radionuclide present and quantify its activity precisely, rather than only confirming that some alpha-emitting contamination exists.
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