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EFFICIENCY STUDY OF A LEGe DETECTOR SYSTEM FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF 241Am IN SKULL AT CIEMAT WHOLE BODY COUNTER
B Pérez López1, J F Navarro2, M A López Ponte2
1Whole Body Counting Laboratory - Internal Dosimetry Service (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense, 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain begona.perez@ciemat.es.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|October 1, 2015
Summary
In vivo measurements of americium in bone are crucial for assessing internal dose. The study identified the most effective head counting geometry for detecting americium using low-energy germanium detectors.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics and radiation detection.
- Radiological protection and dosimetry.
- Medical physics and bioimaging.
Background:
- Americium incorporation requires in vivo skeletal measurements for dose assessment.
- Accurate quantification of bone-seeker radionuclides like americium is essential for radiological protection.
- Existing methods necessitate optimized counting geometries for reliable in vivo detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal head counting geometry for in vivo americium detection.
- To calibrate a low-energy germanium (LEGe) detector system for americium measurements in bone.
- To compare measurement efficiencies across different skull phantom geometries and positions.
Main Methods:
- Direct measurements of americium (241Am) in a Cohen skull phantom using LEGe detectors.
- Calibration of a whole body counter (WBC) system with four LEGe detectors.
- Evaluation of counting efficiencies for different head positions and detector placements.
- Participation in a skull intercomparison exercise organized by EURADOS WG7.
Main Results:
- Similar efficiencies were observed for detector placements at the junction of frontal/parietal bones and on the frontal bone.
- The most comfortable and efficient counting geometry involved placing LEGe detectors on the upper frontal bone near the parietal junction.
- Measurements over the parietal bone yielded the highest efficiency for detecting americium's main gamma emission (59.5 keV).
- Lower efficiencies were noted over the frontal and occipital bones.
Conclusions:
- The study established a preferred head counting geometry for in vivo americium detection, prioritizing comfort and efficiency.
- Results from the EURADOS intercomparison validate the calibration and methodology for americium measurements.
- Optimized in vivo detection of bone-seeking radionuclides is critical for accurate internal dose assessment in radiological protection.
