A simple, highly stable scintillator light source for ultraviolet absorption-based sensors Original Research Article

A light source consisting of radioactive and scintillating materials is evaluated for use in absorption measurements in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral region. The UV light source demonstrates the qualities necessary for chemical sensors. It is inexpensive, simple, reliable, compact, and does not require an external power supply. Since the light source is based upon radionuclear events that are completely random in time, its output is extremely stable if averaged over even moderate time periods. This stability allows simple, single-beam optical arrangements to be used as demonstrated by detection of gaseous ozone and the anesthetic gas halothane. Detection limits, using a prototype instrument, are 1.7 and 160 ppm for the two gases, respectively.