Bladewerx SabreAlert²™

Alpha Radiation Air Monitor

●  Portable Continuous Alpha Radiation Air Monitor

●  Lightweight (5.2 lb), Battery Powered (6 hr)

●  Uses Peak-Shape Fitting Algorithm, 1024-Channel MCA

●  Performs both Acute and Chronic Measurements

●  Solid State, Ion Implanted, Silicon Detector

●  Alarm Light Stack and Sonalert for Alarm Annunciation

●  Source Response Check Feature

●  Automatically Logs DAC, DAC-Hr and Spectrum Data

●  Optional RadNet Output using Wireless 802.11b (WiFi) Network

●  Pumpless Option for House Vacuum or Giraffe Samplers

●  Sensitivity: 1.0 DAC-h (Chronic) and 30 DAC-h (Acute)

The Bladewerx SabreAlert2™ is a lightweight, battery-powered, alpha radiation air monitor that can be used as a portable workplace monitor or a portable CAM for emergency-response assessments. Using Bladewerx’ acclaimed peak-fitting software for radon-background subtraction means more accurate workplace measurement and alarm indications. A self-contained pump, built-in detector head, alarm light, sonalert and battery operation, allow the ultimate in alpha radiation air monitoring portability. A solid-state, ion-implanted, silicon radiation detector and reliable 1024-channel multi-channel analyzer provide the input for an iPAQ processor that performs the spectral analysis. An integrated 6-LPM pump, lithium-ion battery and charging electronics complete the package allowing battery operation of more than six hours. The SabreAlert may be factory-configured for either the measurement of special nuclear materials (SNM), or for radon progeny measurements of potential alpha radiation energy concentration (PAEC).

Alpha Peak-Shape-Fitting
State-of-the-art alpha peak shape fitting is used to separate the spectrum into the contributions from its constituent nuclides and quantify the spectrum counts from radon progeny and one or two user-defined isotopes-of-interest. Alpha peak shape fitting is a technique that uses the profiles of multiple alpha radiation isotope peaks to create a composite curve which best fits the actual spectrum counts. Because the individual nuclide peaks are independently determined, the separation of nuclides is impervious to radon equilibrium changes and contributes to a very low probability of false alarms. Precise fitting of the ²¹⁸Po tail results in excellent sensitivity superior, in many cases, to instruments sampling at 40 LPM. To learn more about Bladewerx' Alpha Peak Shape Fitting - click here.

Remote Monitoring
With the 802.11 WiFi wireless RadNet Output Option installed, multiple SabreAlerts report their status and readings to a wireless access point, up to 300 feet away, networked with a laptop or PC workstation running Bladewerx RadNet Client software, or other RadNet compliant client software. This capability allows remote supervisory monitoring, in real-time, of up to ten work areas or vehicles.
 

Local Display Features
An integrated LCD and touch screen displays detailed information on the instrument status and readings while in operation. The dose estimate of the isotope(s) of interest and instrument status are prominently displayed at all times, while a window below either displays the historical readings and battery status, or displays the current spectrum. The user may switch between the two displays from the View menu.
 

Data Logging
The SabreAlert creates log files of both the Acute (from 1- to 30-second detail) and Chronic (1-minute detail) readings, along with spectrum log files at a user-defined interval. These log files may be saved in the internal memory, or stored on a removable SD memory card, for later retrieval and review. The log files use the comma-separated-variable (*.csv) format, recognized by most spreadsheet and database software.
 

Radon Mode Option
The SabreAlert may be factory-configured for a ‘Radon Mode’ where the instrument will monitor the potential-alpha-energy-concentration (PAEC) of airborne radon progeny. The display units can be configured for either American units of milli-Working Levels (mWL) and WL-h, or SI units of μJ/m³ and μJ-h/m³. Because the individual progeny concentrations are known, the effective (dis)equilibrium ratio of radon progeny can be determined and displayed. This feature can provide useful insights into the ‘age’ of the air sampled.
 

Sensitivity and Response Time
The sensitivity of the SabreAlert is dependent on several factors including, radon background, filter type, flow rate, acute and chronic window settings, and, of course, the energy of the radioactive isotope of interest. The chart below provides an example of typical MDD behavior for a window setting of 4-hours with a radon background of approximately 1.8 pCi/l.

Part Number: BIN-SABR-ALT2

Sampling Head and Flow:

Radiation Detector: Solid-state ion-implanted silicon (450 mm² active area)

Pump: diaphragm-type, 6.0 LPM (typical)

Filter: 37 mm Speclon™ 1.5 μm PTFE membrane or compatible 37mm PTFE filter (25 mm collection area)

Data Analysis:

MCA: 1024-channel ADC binned to 256 channel spectrum

Peak-fitting algorithm for ²¹⁴Po, ²¹⁸Po (Radon Mode also fits ²¹²Po and ²¹⁰Po) and two additional radionuclides (e.g. ²³⁹Pu)

Acute (120 sec. window) and Chronic (240 min. window) sensitivities, plus net count rate alarm

Processor: Windows CE-based PDA, 533 MHz Intel X-Scale processor

Max Count Rate: 600,000 cpm

Source Response Check diagnostic

Calibration: Electro-plated stainless steel radioactive source required for efficiency calibration. 37 mm diameter with 25 mm active area. ²⁴¹Am or ²³⁹Pu recommended.

Energy Range: 1.0 - 8.0 MeV (1.0 - 10 MeV in Radon Mode)

Physical:

Battery powered: 8.4 V Li-Ion, 4.1Ah (6 Hr run-time, 4-hour charge time)

Weight: 5.9 lb (2.7 kg)

Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 4 in. (24 x 24 x 10 cm) (W x H x D)

Temperature: 0 to 122 °F (-20 to 50°C)

Humidity: 5 to 100% (non-condensing)

Splash/dust-proof enclosure

● 4100 mA-h Li-Ion battery: BPT-LION-4100

● 6.0 LPM pump: BSP-PUMP-6L

● SabreMCA board: BSP-SMCA-A1

● Annunciator board: BSP-ANNUN-A1

● Sabre preamp board: BSP-PAMP-P1

● X-Scale board (pre-configured): BPT-IFT4-ALT

● Pump/Battery cable: BSP-CABL-1305

● Detector, 450 mm²: BPT-DETC-SD450

● AC adapter/charger (U.S.): BPT-ACADP-1222