Formation and Possibility Detection of Initiated Electron Cloud in the Vicinity of Radioactive materials

Abstract

This study presents a concept of forming high electron density cloud in the Vicinity of radioactive materials. The concept based on the reality that radioactive materials emit gamma rays, which ionize the surrounding air. The electrons generated due to ionization rapidly attach to oxygen molecules forming O₂^- ions.  Density of O₂^- in the vicinity of radioactive material can be several orders of magnitude greater than background levels. Increased population of O₂ ^-extends several meters around the radioactive material. Electrons are easily photo-detached from O₂^- ions by a radiation of THz pulse signal. In the presence of THz pulse radiation, the photo-detached electrons initiate avalanche ionization which results in a rapid increase in electron density. As the electron density increases a frequency modulation on a probe beam will be induced, this becomes a direct spectral signature for the presence of radioactive material. Three radioactive sources are introduced in this study, ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁷Cs and ²²Na. These three radioactive sources of different amount 1.0 mg and 20.0 mg. The calculations are done up to three meters away from the sources. THz radiation could be high intensity laser source.