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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
F. E. Senftle, A. G. Evans, D. Duffey, P. F. Wiggins
Nuclear Technology | Volume 10 | Number 2 | February 1971 | Pages 204-210
Technical Paper and Note | Instrument | doi.org/10.13182/NT71-A30927
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
If a small (multimicrogram) 252Cf neutron source is used for neutron capture-gamma-ray analysis, a Ge(Li) detector must be placed relatively close to the source to obtain a reasonable counting rate. Thus, the encapsulation, moderating, shielding, and perhaps detector materials all become potential gamma-ray sources which cause spectral interference. An interference parameter for a number of elements generally used in source and detector construction is presented. Using this parameter, construction materials can be chosen to minimize the spectral interference. For minimum interference as well as fabrication and durability, zirconium, niobium, or tantalum alloys are among the better materials for source encapsulation or detector hardware.
