α-ray measurement due to air luminescence employing a liquid scintillation spectrometer

Abstract A new α-ray counting method due to air luminescence has been proposed. The luminescence, caused by the excitation of nitrogen contained in air, is effectively measured with a liquid scintillation spectrometer. High counting efficiency can be obtained even without a wavelength shifter which is essential to an α-ray measurement with noble gases. This technique is conveniently applicable to routine analysis of α-ray emitting nuclides, since atmospheric air itself containing 78% nitrogen can serve as an α-ray detector.