Gamma-Free Smoke and Particle Detector Using Tritiated Foils

A smoke and particle ionization detector using tritiated amorphous silicon film as the radiation source is demonstrated. The ion chamber design includes both bipolar and unipolar regions, thereby enhancing the particle detection responsivity. The results show that this gamma-free detector is several-fold to fortyfold more responsive than traditional ionization detectors using Am-241. In addition, this ion chamber can function as a dual detector having both photoelectric and ionization detector responsivities