Further developments of a robust absolute calibration method utilizing beta/gamma coincidence techniques

McIntyre, Justin I.; Cooper, Matthew W.; Ely, James H.; Haas, Derek A.; Schrom, Brian T.; Warren, G.

doi:10.1007/s10967-012-2112-4

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This gives detection limits for actinides such as 237 Np and 241 Am of to 2 mBq. As several recent studies have examined the use of solid state scintillators or detector for detection of xenon nuclides [34,[41][42][43][44][45], the behavior of the PERALS® coincidence system was also investigated in beta/gamma operation with a 133 Xe sample. The SCA window was adjusted to cover the region of the beta/gamma pulses in the pulse shape output, and the ancillary electronics were set to generate the gating signal from the beta pulses.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another advantage of the coincidence counting method is the ability to directly determine the absolute disintegration rate of the source from the counting data without prior calibration to measure efficiencies of the detectors. This technique has been known [30] and used in a variety of applications including safeguards measurements [31,32], production of primary standards [33,34], or improving nuclear decay data schemes [35][36][37]. In practical applications, employing either beta-gamma or gammagamma coincidences, there are numerous corrections that are required depending upon the desired accuracy.…”

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confidence: 99%

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An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer based on the photon–electron rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS®) system

Cadieux

Fugate

King

2015

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer based on the photon–electron rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS®) system

Cadieux

Fugate

King

2015

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…The extrapolation method is a more precise method of obtaining the absolute activity value using a beta-gamma detector system, and has been the approach used for absolute measurement in metrology. The project explored using this approach for the radioxenon measurement to calculate the activity, and from there, the efficiency of the detector [6,7]. This approach is being further explored and is being adopted by the IDC, who has implemented the extrapolation method to validate efficiency calculations for the installed betagamma detectors.…”

Section: Nuclear Detector Calibrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Final Technical Report on Radioxenon Event Analysis

Ely¹,

Cooper²,

Hayes³

et al. 2013

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This document was printed on recycled paper. Executive SummaryAutomated radionuclide samplers to monitor for nuclear explosions are being installed as part of the International Monitoring System. Data from these systems is being generated and tools to analyze large data sets and complex operational parameters are required. In addition, the processes to efficiently screen and categorize the samples need to be developed. This Advance Spectral Analysis for Radioxenon (ASAR) project supported the U.S. National Data Center (NDC) radionuclide sample collection objectives by researching and developing algorithms and analysis approaches and building analysis tools that can be used with the NDC database. These tools were designed initiated on the previous Data Center project, and extended and upgraded during the ASAR project. These tools provide an independent calculation approach and can be used to provide confidence in the data and activity concentrations provide by the International Data Center (IDC).In addition to the main review toolset, the ASAR project supported the enhancement of the calibration tool, which allows semi-automated calculation of the calibration data collected from beta-gamma systems. And the ASAR project supported the development of a stand-alone analysis tool, using a different analysis approach using standard spectra fitting. This was developed in conjunction with the University of Texas, with the support of Dr. Biegalski during his sabbatical at PNNL. This tool is useful for low activity concentration samples and can provide increased accuracy in the calculated values.With the increased capability in analyzing the data files and providing high-confidence values, the ASAR project focused on exploring the approaches to effectively screen and categorize samples. There are many samples collected every day, with many activity concentrations below the minimal detectable concentration. However, there are also detections every day which need to be reviewed and resolved. Almost all of these are from emissions from nuclear power plant reactors or medical isotope production facilities, but they require careful inspection and review; making this process as efficient as possible was a main focus of the ASAR project. This is an active research area and no simple approach is satisfactory. Although the systems measure four radioxenon isotopes which can provide much more information when combined in ratios that when analyzed individually, they are not always detected above the minimal detectable concentration (MDC) of the collection and measurement system. Even in cases where several or all isotopes are detected, the radioxenon data can't discriminate nuclear explosions from medical isotope production or reactor start-up in all scenarios. In these cases, additional information is required to support resolution of radioxenon detections, such as seismic detection or other information. The radioxenon data can be screened to narrow down the number of detections that require further analysis and combined with other...

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“…131m Xe, 133 Xe, 133m Xe, 135 Xe are valuable isotopes used to help enforce the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) [1][2][3][4]. 135 Xe is the strongest indicator among the xenon isotopes, due to its short half-life (9.10 h) Because of its half-life and the lack of commercial interest, there are no known commercial sources of 135 Xe.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation and purification of the xenon fraction of 252Cf spontaneous fission products for the production of radioactive xenon calibration standards

Houghton

McGrath

Hague

et al. 2015

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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Idaho National Laboratory (INL) produces 135 Xe, 133m Xe, 133 Xe, and 131m Xe standards for the calibration and testing of the collection equipment and analytical techniques used to monitor radioactive xenon emissions. At INL, xenon is produced and collected as one of several spontaneous fission products from a 252 Cf source in a stagnant volume of pressurized helium. Solids are separated from gases by sintered steel filtration. Further chromatographic purification of the fission gases separates the xenon fraction for selective collection. An explanation of gas system, separation, and purification is presented. 135 Xe and 133 Xe activity ratio adjustments are explained.

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Further developments of a robust absolute calibration method utilizing beta/gamma coincidence techniques

Cited by 9 publications

References 14 publications

An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer based on the photon–electron rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS®) system

An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer based on the photon–electron rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS®) system

Final Technical Report on Radioxenon Event Analysis

Isolation and purification of the xenon fraction of 252Cf spontaneous fission products for the production of radioactive xenon calibration standards

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