Can the palmRAD 907 detect Radon by looking at alpha or gamma?
There are significant advantages in being able to effectively detect alpha radiation from Radon. To explain, in the uranium series (U238), radon (Rn222) is in the chain with a 3.8-day half-life. In the thorium series (Th232), radon (Rn220) exists with a half-life of about 56 seconds. In the actinium series (U235), radon (Rn219) has a 3.96 second half-life. Only Rn219 has gamma lines that can be easily measured – but all radon has well defined alpha lines and can all be measured with the thin window of the palmRAD and close placement of the GM tube.
