Title: Internal efficiency calibration for bulk samples using a peak-by-peak cascade technique

Authors: Elsayed K. Elmaghraby

Addresses: Experimental Nuclear Physics Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo 13759, Egypt

Abstract: A procedure for gamma ray detection efficiency calibration for bulk samples using an internal reference is proposed. The technique involves peak-by-peak cascade correlation to overcome the problem, arising when using standard reference material, due to diversity of attenuation to gamma ray among samples. The procedure is used for calibration for ²¹⁴Bi, ²²⁸Ac, and all associated radionuclide using ⁴⁰K as reference. The experimental validation was done with environmental samples as well as neutron activated indium chloride sample. The peak-by-peak analysis results emphasise the effect of gamma ray attenuation inside the sample on the overall efficiency calibration and give the accurate calibration without need to more sophisticated procedures. The uncertainty analyses of the measurements of efficiency are discussed in order to minimise the systematic uncertainty.

Keywords: radiological protection; efficiency calibration; bulk radiation sources; uncertainty analysis; natural radioactivity; neutron activation analysis; peak-by-peak cascade; gamma ray detection; radionuclides.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2016.078959

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2016 Vol.10 No.3, pp.234 - 244

Received: 01 Mar 2016
Accepted: 20 Jul 2016
Published online: 06 Sep 2016 *

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