Study of β- radiation penetration depth in low density organic liquids

This paper presents a precise method of determining the penetration depth of beta- radiation in low density organic liquids. The radiation sources used are thallium-204(T1-204) and ceasium-137(Cs-137). The measurements have been carried out using Gamma-Scout (GmbH & Co. Germany). The Gamma-Scout is a general purpose Geiger counter that measures alpha, beta and gamma radiations. It has proven to be useful in the medical, nuclear, mining and foundry industries. Acetic acid, paraffin and ethanol of densities 1.049 g/cm(3),0.85 g/cm(3) and 0.789 g/cm(3), respectively, have been used for the studies. The penetration depth of beta particles depends mainly on density of sample material and energy of the incident beta radiation. Determination of penetration depth of beta- particles in the low density organic liquids is helpful in understanding the interaction of beta- particles with low density materials such as flesh and blood.