The superheated drop detector

Abstract The Superheated Drop Detector (SDD) is a new tool for radiation spectrometry, area monitoring, and dosimetry that may find use in nuclear science, safety, and medicine. It is based on the principle of the bubble chamber, but unlike the bubble chamber, offers continuous radiation sensitivity, portability and adaptability, direct reading capability, and low cost. Moderately superheated drop detectors are insensitive to gamma rays and X-rays for energies less than 6 MeV, but sensitive to fast neutrons and have an energy threshold that can be adjusted by varying temperature, pressure, or drop composition.