Activity determination of ⁶⁷Ga using 4πβ‒γ coincidence counting

Area of Science:

• Nuclear physics
• Metrology
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Accurate activity determination is crucial for radioactive source calibration.
• The 4πβ-γ coincidence counting technique is a primary method for radionuclide activity measurement.
• Gallium-67 (⁶⁷Ga) is a radioisotope with applications in diagnostics and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To precisely measure the activity concentration of a ⁶⁷Ga solution.
• To evaluate the performance of a 4πβ-γ coincidence counting system for ⁶⁷Ga.
• To facilitate intercomparison with the BIPM's primary standard (SIR).

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 4πβ-γ coincidence counting setup with a proportional counter.
• Employed non-extending dead-time modules in detector channels.
• Applied correction formulae to account for delayed states and extrapolated to infinite dead time.

Main Results:

• Achieved a measurement uncertainty of approximately 0.5% for the ⁶⁷Ga activity.
• Successfully performed an intercomparison with the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) Standard Ionizing Radiation (SIR).

Conclusions:

• The 4πβ-γ coincidence counting technique, with appropriate corrections, provides high accuracy for ⁶⁷Ga activity determination.
• The obtained result validates the measurement capability for international comparisons.
• This work contributes to the traceability of radioactivity measurements.