Validation of efficiency transfer for high-density materials in HPGe spectrometry

L Verheyen; M Bruggeman; T Vidmar; S Boden

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110680

Validation of efficiency transfer for high-density materials in HPGe spectrometry

Appl Radiat Isot. 2023 Apr:194:110680. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110680. Epub 2023 Jan 14.

Authors

L Verheyen¹, M Bruggeman², T Vidmar², S Boden²

Affiliations

¹ SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium. Electronic address: leen.verheyen@sckcen.be.
² SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium.

PMID: 36696752
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110680

Abstract

Recycling and conventional reuse of lead materials and structures originating from controlled areas in nuclear facilities rely on historical knowledge and well selected characterization procedures. At the SCK•CEN, one of these procedures involves performing high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry measurements on several cylindrical shaped test samples (50 mm diameter and approximately 5 mm thickness), obtained during the lead melting campaigns. The high density (11.3 g/cm³) of these samples is a challenge for radionuclide analysis by gamma-ray spectrometry since no such calibration sources nor reference materials are available. We used the efficiency transfer procedure, relying on regular standard sources available in our laboratory, to set up calibrations for this specific counting geometry. The method proves to be fit for purpose.

Keywords: Efficiency correction; Free release; Gamma-ray spectrometry; High density materials.