Development of a High Sensitivity Radon Emanation Detector

Abstract

Within the last few decades, experiments in particle physics have developed a need to produce radio-pure experiments. These experiments are designed to search for new physics that involves low event rates. Due to the event rates as low as 1 event/kt/year, these experiment must take precautions that reduce background radiation in the detector. A significant source of background radiation comes from radon-222 produced from the uranium decay chain. Radon-222 is gaseous and can be emanated from the surface of materials and propagate throughout a detector contaminating the experiment. Measuring the emanation rate of radon from materials has become an important area of study to enable the construction of low background environments. This thesis will present the ongoing development and analysis of a high sensitivity radon detector at the University of Alberta with a sensitivity of $4 \pm 2$ radons/hr at 68% confidence.