Old Phone Camera Reveals Beta Radiation as Bright Spots
A recent video illustrates the interaction between beta radiation and a vintage mobile device featuring a CCD camera. In this demonstration, a sealed check source containing Strontium-90 is placed on a table, with the camera focused on it. Rather than capturing light, the source's high-energy electrons strike the sensor, producing luminous spots from released electrons. This phenomenon has inspired the development of radiation detection apps for smartphones. Notably, in 2014, Australian researchers evaluated the efficacy of these applications using an Apple iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2 at a government calibration center, confirming their capacity to gauge radiation dose rates.
Key facts
- Video shows beta radiation captured by an old phone CCD camera.
- Radioactive check source contains Strontium-90.
- High-energy electrons, not photons, hit the sensor.
- Electrons free large numbers of electrons, creating bright spots.
- Smartphone apps use this principle for radiation detection.
- 2014 tests by ANSTO on iPhone 4S and Galaxy S2.
- Apps accurately determine dose rate in radiological events.
- No anomalous results were found.
Entities
Institutions
- ANSTO
- Apple
- Samsung
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Australia