Measuring Radioactivity Using Low-Cost Silicon Sensors

Explore the fascinating world of DIY particle physics in this 42-minute conference talk from media.ccc.de. Discover how to build a low-cost particle detector using simple photodiodes and learn about natural radioactivity. Gain insights into the different types of ionizing radiation and subatomic particles that surround us. Follow along as the speaker demonstrates how to construct a detector that can measure particle energy and distinguish between alpha particles and electrons from beta decays. Learn about the project's open hardware design, suitable for beginners and citizen scientists. Understand how to use a USB sound card or smartphone headset to record signals, and get an introduction to data analysis using Python. Delve into terrestrial and cosmic sources of radioactivity, and explore the interaction of ionizing radiation with silicon. Conclude with practical examples of everyday objects worth investigating and observe characteristic alpha particle energy spectra measurements without expensive equipment.