Experimental Study to Determine the Backscattering, Asymmetry, and Tailing Factors for Some Elements in the Atomic Number Range of 4≤Z≤48 at 59.54 keV Using the Gamma Backscattering Method

Abstract

This experimental study has been carried out by using gamma backscattering method which is a non-destructive method. Some elements which are in the atomic number range of 4≤Z≤48 have been used as backscatterer samples to investigate the variation of backscattering factor, asymmetry factor, and tailing factor with atomic number. These samples were irradiated by γ-rays of 59.54 keV energy emitted from a 10 μCi 241Am point radioactive source. To count the backscattered photons from samples, a high purity germanium detector (HPGe) with a resolution of 182 eV at 5.9 keV and active area of 200 mm2 was used. It was concluded that the count rate and backscattering factor increased with increasing atomic number, but the coherent to backscattering ratio, asymmetry factor, and tailing factor decreased.