Ultrahigh Sensitivity Heavy Noble Gas Detectors for Long-Term Monitoring and for Monitoring Air

The primary objective of this research project is to develop heavy noble gas (krypton, xenon, and radon) detectors for (1) long-term monitoring of transuranic waste, spent fuel, and other uranium and thorium bearing wastes and (2) alpha particle air monitors that discriminate between radon emissions and other alpha emitters. A University of Cincinnati/Argonne National Laboratory (UC/ANL) Team was assembled to complete this detector development project. Effective 1/4/99, the UC PI (John Valentine) became an Associate Professor in the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering Program of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Consequently, this project was transferred to Georgia Tech (GT) with the PI. UC funding extended to 1/31/99 and GT funding became active 4/26/99. Since a previous Annual Report (submitted 7/2/99) summarized all of the achievements that were made at UC, this Annual Report will focus on work conducted at GT sin ce 4/26/99 by the GT/ANL Team. DOE needs that are addressed by this project include improved longterm monitoring capability and improved air monitoring capability during remedial activities. Successful development and implementation of the proposed detection systems could significantly improve current capabilities with relatively simple and inexpensive equipment