Measurement of gamma-ray intensities of 231Th using semiconductor detectors

Nuclide 231Th was yielded by the 232Th(n, 2n) reaction with neutron irradiation in the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). Moreover, the thorium was purified chemically. Gamma-ray spectra of thorium have been measured using low-energy photon spectrometers and a high-purity germanium detector. Relative γ-ray intensities ranging from 25 to 352 keV in the decay of 231Th have been determined with satisfactory accuracy. The results are in very good agreement with those of earlier studies. We observe two new γ-rays at 77.69 and 177.66 keV, whose intensities are found to be (0.063±0.010)% and (0.00095±0.00020)%, respectively, relative to that of 84.21 keV taken as 100%. Absolute intensity of 84.21 keV γ-ray which is the most prominent one from the decay of 231Th and that of 185.739 keV following the decay of 235U are also determined from the secular equilibrium for 235U–231Th. The results obtained in two cases are (6.60±0.25)% and (58±2)%, respectively.