A new TDCR-LS Counter using Channel photomultiplier tubes

A new Triple to Double Coincidence Ratio (TDCR) liquid scintillation (LS) counter using recently available photodetectors, the Channel photomultiplier (CPM) tubes, was constructed and tested in the framework of a scientific cooperation between IFIN-HH and LNHB. The prototype LS counter uses 3CPM tubes arranged symmetrically in an optical chamber around a standard LS vial. The behavior of the prototype was first evaluated with a light emitting diode (LED) light pulser. The counter was then compared against a TDCR counter using conventional photomultiplier tubes, by measuring 55Fe, 3H, 63Ni and 90Sr/90Y LS sources prepared in commercial liquid scintillation cocktails. Although the observed detection efficiency was significantly lower than the one achieved with the traditional counter, we found a remarkable agreement on the activity determination using the two counters. Details on the prototype and the measurement results obtained are discussed in this paper.