REMOTE ALPHA SOURCE LOCATION DEVICE AND METHOD

A device and a method of remotely locating .alpha. particle sources. In the method of remotely locating sources of .alpha. particles in an environment, a scintillating gas is used that may contain nitrogen and fills the environment (10, 30), the scintillating gas is used to convert the .alpha. particles emitted by the sources (14) into ultraviolet radiation, and an image of the ultraviolet radiation is formed on a photosensitive surface (20). This image can be displayed on film or on a video screen and may be superimposed on the visible image of the observed field. The device and method may be applicable to radioprotection and to the detection of the presence of radioactive materials and sources of radiation leaks.