How can I measure and log the amount of radiation while being on a plane?

Question

I am a sensorophile. I like to measure and keep logs of anything. Sometimes it is even pathetic to the extent that I am really disappointed if I am not able to read the registration codes of a plane I have traveled on. (e.g. When boarding a Fokker 100 from a jet bridge it is almost impossible to read its registration given the obstruction by the engines.)

I would extend my logging to the levels of radiation I am exposed to on any flight. Is there any way that I can measure and more importantly log that personal exposure to that radiation?

Answer 1

This page provides an excellent overview of radiation types and what you are most liable to encounter. For airline flights gamma-radiation is the most probable type. (Alpha particles are stopped by paper, Beta by thin foil or similar.

You can buy commercial instruments that will detect radiation for from about $200 on up.

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An off the shelf "PIN diode" acts as an adequate gamma radiation detector in many cases. Here is a PIN diode radiation detector design from Maxim. Their notes are worth reading in this context. Source

They say: Abstract:

• A PIN photodiode, four low-noise op amps and a comparator are used to detect individual photons of gamma radiation. The schematic, design considerations and component selection are discussed.

  The circuit of Figure 1 includes a PIN photodiode that detects individual photons of gamma radiation. When a photon strikes a depletion region created by reverse bias on the photodiode, it produces a small amount of charge in proportion to the photon's energy. The resulting signal is then amplified and filtered by four amplifiers and a final comparator distinguishes between the signal and noise. The comparator output pulses high each time a gamma photon with sufficient energy strikes the photodiode.

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$4000 on up products

$220 product. Russian made

$200 & $350 commercial products.

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ADDED

Here is a description of a DIY real world Gamma Ray detector based on a PIN diode.
Made by VK2ZAY - Australian radio-amateur. A number of other on-web designs are based on his work.

Photodiode Gamma Ray detector

4 minute You tube description good.

Here is a Hackaday article describing the same article

Related videos - same device here and here and here - finished product - 10 minute video

Answer 2

If you'd accept a calculation, rather than requiring potentially expensive equipment to measure it, there's a website that does that for you:

Calculate the dose received

From one of their document pages:

Generally, detectors only provide correct readings for some of these particles. To obtain a correct measurement, it is necessary to use a series of detectors or certain meters that "see" all of the components of cosmic radiation. Unfortunately, the use of such devices is not suitable for normal conditions on commercial flights.