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Published on: May 3, 2019
DDEP evaluation of 40K decay
1Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, List, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), 91120, Palaiseau, France.
Abstract:
The long half-life and ubiquitous presence of 40K in the environment makes the contribution of this radionuclide significant in any studies of the radioactive background from γ-ray spectrometry to geoneutrinos, and as an aid in the geological dating of minerals. Recent new decay-data measurements of 40K have motivated this substantial re-evaluation of the decay data. New half-life and branching ratios are recommended, as well as specific activities for natural potassium samples. Other relevant atomic and nuclear data have also been assessed, and a complete set of these recommended data made available on the DDEP website.
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