Residual Radioactivation

DOE-HDBK-1108-97

Radiological Training for Accelerator Facilities

Student's Guide

Muons travel mainly in the direction of the beam that produced them with very little

deviation from the beam path. They are a concern directly downstream of targets, beam

dumps, etc. Muons are ionizing particles and can deliver a very high dose.

Muons lose energy only through ionization and are very penetrating. Large amounts of

earth and steel are typically used to shield muons. Muons travel mainly in the forward

direction of the beam. They are a concern directly downstream of thick targets, beam

dumps, apertures, etc.

(Facility Specific) Identify Prompt Radiation Sources

EO-06

IDENTIFY prompt radiation sources at site.

Residual Radioactivation

EO-07 DEFINE radioactivation.

EO-10 IDENTIFY activation products.

The process by which materials become radioactive is commonly referred to as "radioactivation"

or simply "activation." Material, air, water, and components that are subject to high-energy

prompt radiations (typically with threshold energies above 10 MeV for particles other than

neutrons) may be made radioactive.

Activated materials emit radiation from radioactive decay after shut-off of the beam.