Home gamma spectroscopy lab accessories for Radiacode sensors

Having recently acquired a Radiacode RC102 portable radiation detector it became necessary to fabricate some fixtures and accessories. This kit is comprised of:

• a shell to hold the Radiacode sensor which is wrapped in 4.8mm of shielding
• a fixture to hold a 40mm cylindrical sample (a pill bottle)
• an insert to hold a 33mm cylindrical sample (a 35mm film container)
• an insert to hold a 17mm cylindrical sample (a test tube)

The shielding is made from 3 layers of 1.6mm (1/16") lead sheet on the top, sides, and end. The bottom surface (with the opening) has 2 layers of lead sheet, and the opening is to remain unshielded.

The entire assembly is held together with double-sided tape and is enclosed with heat shrink PVC to reduce exposure to lead dust.

When inserted into the shell, the RC102 scintillator will be centered in the rectangular aperture. The 40mm fixture is then placed over the shell, this will align scintillator, the aperture in the case, and the center of the sample. The 33 and 17mm inserts elevate the sample to the height of the detector, thus reducing the sample volume required.

If a sample is particularly active, the shielding shell can rotated to put some lead in between to attenuate the flux.