Americium-241 Ion Chamber commonly used in Ionization type Smoke Detectors
These sources contain Americium-241 (Am-241) an isotope of americium. It is the most common isotope of Americium It is commonly found in ionization type smoke detectors.
Americium-241 is a strong Alpha emitter and is often used to make Neutron Sources.
Inside the alluminum and plastic shell of the Ion chamber is a small button like disk about 6 mm in diameter with exposed Americium-241 on one side in a recess. The Americium-241 is blended with other metals often Gold and plated in the recess.
These also emit some detectable low-level gamma radiation but at these low levels it is exempt from license requirement. However it is a violation to use these other than intended as a ion chamber or to disassemble the unit.
I will not be responsible for any missuse, injuries or physical damage. Use these at your own risk.
From the manufacturer:
100% Brand New and High Quality.
1. Model: NAP-07 Ion Chamber used in Smoke Sensor nuclear experiments
2. Outer metal housing Diameter: 37mm
Specifications:
1. Ionization source characteristics and radiation safety performance:uCi
2. The ionization chamber fitted with a high performance and low activity of Am-241 ionization
3. Ionization source activity: 0. 8uCi ( 18KBq . 0. 8uCi±10% ( 30KBq±10% )
4. Ionization source a spectroscopy: peak: 4. 5MeV ± 10%, FW HM<0. 7MeV
5. Safety grading standards ( GB4075, IS02919 . C64444
6. Ionization chamber radiation dose rate at 25cm: 0. 03mGy/ ( 1mGy value lower than population dose standard )
8. Conditions: outer electrode and the source electrode voltage ( VDD supply voltage ): 9V
9. Environment temperature: 20 + C: close to atmospheric pressure standard atmospheric pressure, clean air
10. Collecting electrode equilibrium potential: 5. 3~6. 5V
11. Collecting electrode potential with the smoke concentration change
12. Light reduction rate was 1% feet: 0. 6V
13. Light reduction rate was 4% feet: 2. 2V
14. Insulator leakage current ( Max ): 0. 5Pa
16. Capacitor ( collection of extreme outer electrode + to the source base ): 6. 0pF