Using a portable muon detector for radioactive source measurements and identification

Abstract: We have re-purposed portable plastic scintillator muon detectors, designed by the CosmicWatch project, for the measurement of electrons emitted by the decay of radioactive sources. For the latter purpose we have first calibrated the detectors using the local atmospheric muon flux, performing angular distribution and attenuation measurements. In addition, we have simulated the detector using Geant4 in a detailed fashion for a cross-check and better understanding of the device. Then, we have developed a method to evaluate the activity of $\beta$-sources and to discriminate different $\beta$-sources by looking into their respective voltage spectrum output.