Operation delays
Point-to-point measurements and swab sampling make surveys slow, labour intensive, and difficult to scale.
VisionAlpha camera remotely detects, localises and quantifies alpha radioactive contamination as low as 500Bq/cm2 from meters away by imaging the faint UV light generated as alpha particles travel through air.
Why it matters
Alpha contamination is hard to see because alpha particles travel only a few centimetres in air.
Traditional alpha surveys usually rely on short-range detectors or paper-based swab tests.
Close scanning or swab tests
Close scanning and swab collection require personnel to approach potentially contaminated surfaces.
Complex environments
Alpha contamination is difficult to assess in complex, confined, or inaccessible environments.
Some old alpha emitters can also be located indirectly by imaging gamma rays from decay products such as Am-241, but this approach has several limitations.
- Not suitable for new contamination.
- Quantitative assessment can be difficult.
- The low-energy signal can be overwhelmed by a strong gamma background.
- Relatively high contamination activity may be required.
Alpha imaging and gamma imaging are complementary technologies rather than direct competitors.
Our advantage
A complete imaging system for remote alpha survey.
Imaging system
Metre-scale detection
Indoor & sunlight operation
500Bq/cm2 uranium detection
Intelligent software
Learn more about long-range alpha detection
Introduction
Watch the short overview and interview.
Summary introduction
A concise overview of the VisionAlpha problem, product, and value proposition.
Interview
A deeper conversation about the technology, motivation, and potential impact.
Contact us
We are seeking pilot partners.
Supported by Innovate UK, VisionAlpha can contribute towards development and trial costs.