Title :
Development of an on-line scintillation flow-cell detection system with pulse shape discrimination for quantification of actinides
Author :
DeVol, T.A. ; Field, R.A.
Author_Institution :
Clemson Univ., SC, USA
fDate :
8/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A flow-cell detection system was developed utilizing pulse shape discrimination as a means of reducing the beta (gamma-ray) background when quantifying alpha emitters. Flow-cells consisting of 63-90 μm particles of CaF2:Eu, scintillating glass (GS-20), and BaF 2 were each packed into translucent Teflon tubing. CaF2 :Eu and GS-20 exhibited only marginal pulse shape resolution, achieving figures of merit, (FOM) of 0.46 and 0.27, respectively. BaF 2 exhibited reasonable pulse shape resolution, FOM=0.75. Unfortunately, the presence of intrinsic alpha emitters in CaF2 :Eu and BaF2 resulted in an elevated background count rate in the alpha window. Coupled with a detection efficiency of ~50% for 233U (Eα=4.8 MeV) alpha particles, minimum detectable activities at the optimal pulse shape time discriminator setting were 0.6 Bq for CaFa2:Eu and BaF2 and 1.1 Bq for GS-20
Keywords :
actinides; alpha-particle detection; isotope separation; solid scintillation detectors; 0.6 Bq; 1.1 Bq; 4.8 MeV; 63 to 90 mum; BaF2; CaF2:Eu; GS-20; actinides; alpha emitters; background count rate; detection efficiency; figure of merit; pulse shape discrimination; pulse shape resolution; scintillating glass; scintillation flow-cell detection system; Alpha particles; Application specific integrated circuits; Effluents; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Glass; Monitoring; Pulse shaping methods; Shape; Solid scintillation detectors;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
