It’s widely known that a smoke detector is a good ionizing radiation source, as they contain a small amount of americium-241, a side product of nuclear reactors. But what about other sources?

The photodiode is actually sensitive enough to detect the small amounts of gamma radiation produced from a smoke alarm americium source, and also registers [Alan]’s other more powerful ...

A multi-institutional team of physicists and engineers has developed a laser-based radiation detection system that operates ...

One example of a use of alpha radiation is in smoke detectors. A source of alpha radiation is used because the range is very low and alpha radiation has a very high ionising power.

One example of a use of alpha radiation is in smoke detectors. A source of alpha radiation is used because the range is very low and alpha radiation has a very high ionising power.