Self-attenuation corrections for Pb-210 in gamma-ray spectrometry using well and coaxial HPGe detectors

A R Iurian; G E Millward; O Sima; A Taylor; W Blake

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.06.048

Self-attenuation corrections for Pb-210 in gamma-ray spectrometry using well and coaxial HPGe detectors

Appl Radiat Isot. 2018 Apr:134:151-156. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.06.048. Epub 2017 Jul 1.

Authors

A R Iurian¹, G E Millward², O Sima³, A Taylor⁴, W Blake⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA Plymouth, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Consolidated Radioisotope Facility, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA Plymouth, United Kingdom.
³ Physics Department, University of Bucharest, Romania.
⁴ School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA Plymouth, United Kingdom; Consolidated Radioisotope Facility, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA Plymouth, United Kingdom.

PMID: 28688732
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.06.048

Abstract

Semi-empirical methods for ²¹⁰Pb self-attenuation corrections were applied to sediment samples in vial and cylindrical geometries, and were validated against Monte Carlo modelling. Full Monte Carlo modelling (GESPECOR code) of the Cutshall transmission method was successfully applied for the determination of mass attenuation coefficients and efficiency transfer factors for coaxial detectors, and compared with the values derived from the matrix chemical composition. Simplified approaches were recommended when dealing with large numbers of samples.

Keywords: Efficiency transfer factors; GESPECOR; Pb-210; Self-attenuation correction; Well type detector.