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A novel method for the activity measurement of large-area beta reference sources
D Stanga1, P De Felice2, J Keightley3
1National Institute of R&D for Physics and Nuclear Engineering-Horia Hulubei, IFIN-HH, P.O. Box MG-6, Bucharest-Magurele R-077125, Romania.
A new method accurately measures large-area beta sources using two emission rate readings. This technique shows reliable results, matching gamma spectrometry and certified values for Cobalt-60 and Cesium-137 sources.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Metrology
- Radiation detection
Background:
- Accurate activity measurement of large-area beta reference sources is crucial for calibration and quality control.
- Existing methods may have limitations in precision or applicability to large surface areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for precise activity measurement of large-area beta reference sources.
- To assess the method's accuracy by comparing results with established techniques.
Main Methods:
- Employs two emission rate measurements.
- Leverages the weak dependence of source activity on activity distribution for a specific transmission coefficient.
- Experimental validation using Cobalt-60 ((60)Co) and Cesium-137 ((137)Cs) large-area reference sources made from anodized aluminum foils.
Main Results:
- Experimental measurements demonstrated agreement within one standard uncertainty compared to gamma spectrometry.
- Results also aligned with certified source activity values within the same uncertainty limits.
- The novel method proved effective for large-area beta source activity assessment.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a reliable and accurate approach for measuring the activity of large-area beta reference sources.
- The technique's accuracy is confirmed by its concordance with gamma spectrometry and certified values.
- This method offers a valuable tool for metrology in radiation safety and research.
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