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Calvo Alamillo E, Crespo Vázquez MT, Rato Mendes PF, Álvarez Garrote R, Crespo Anadón JI, Cuesta C, De la Torre Rojo A, Gil-Botella I, Martín Martín I, Mejuto Mendieta M, Palomares C, Pérez Molina L, Soto Otón JA, Verdugo de Osa A. Validation of electrodeposited 241Am alpha-particle sources for use in liquified gas detectors at cryogenic temperatures. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 200:110913. [PMID: 37442027 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes a procedure for the validation of alpha-particle sources (exempt unsealed sources) to be used in experimental setups with liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures (down to -196 °C) and high vacuum. These setups are of interest for the development and characterization of neutrino and dark matter detectors based on liquid argon, among others. Due to the high purity requirements, the sources have to withstand high vacuum and cryogenic temperatures for extended periods. The validation procedure has been applied to 241Am sources produced by electrodeposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Calvo Alamillo
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - M T Crespo Vázquez
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - P F Rato Mendes
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - R Álvarez Garrote
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - J I Crespo Anadón
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Cuesta
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - A De la Torre Rojo
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Gil-Botella
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Martín Martín
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Mejuto Mendieta
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Palomares
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Pérez Molina
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - J A Soto Otón
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Verdugo de Osa
- Centro de Investigaciones, Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Natural radionuclides in Greek raisins. J Food Compost Anal 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2023.105142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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3
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Xarchoulakos DC, Manoutsoglou E, Kallithrakas-Kontos NG. Distribution of uranium isotopes, 210Pb and 210Po in groundwaters of Crete- Greece. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractRadionuclides, whether naturally occurring or artificially produced, are readily detected through their particle and photon emissions following nuclear decay. Radioanalytical techniques use the radiation as a looking glass into the composition of materials, thus providing valuable information to various scientific disciplines. Absolute quantification of the measurand often relies on accurate knowledge of nuclear decay data and detector calibrations traceable to the SI units. Behind the scenes of the radioanalytical world, there is a small community of radionuclide metrologists who provide the vital tools to convert detection rates into activity values. They perform highly accurate primary standardisations of activity to establish the SI-derived unit becquerel for the most relevant radionuclides, and demonstrate international equivalence of their standards through key comparisons. The trustworthiness of their metrological work crucially depends on painstaking scrutiny of their methods and the elaboration of comprehensive uncertainty budgets. Through meticulous methodology, rigorous data analysis, performance of reference measurements, technological innovation, education and training, and organisation of proficiency tests, they help the user community to achieve confidence in measurements for policy support, science, and trade. The author dedicates the George Hevesy Medal Award 2020 to the current and previous generations of radionuclide metrologists who have devoted their professional lives to this noble endeavour.
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Xarchoulakos DC, Kallihtrakas-Kontos NG. Uranium analysis in urine after membrane complexation and alpha spectrometry counting. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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6
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A new Rule of Thumb to evaluate alpha sources prepared by electro precipitation using X-ray Fluorescence. Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 169:109555. [PMID: 33341542 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This report studies the feasibility of using X-ray Fluorescence for the characterization of alpha sources in a short time and proposes a new Rule of Thumb for the sake of simplicity. An uranium deposit of 0.012 ± 0.001 mgcm-2 which XRF spectrum shows a low intensity U-Lα peak at 13.61 keV, provides good resolution in alpha spectrometry. By this method, long data acquisition times in alpha spectrometry of poorly prepared sources are avoided without the need for expensive equipment.
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7
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Ko YG. Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited layers as alpha sources for alpha-particle spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07398-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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García-Toraño E, Crespo T, Marouli M, Jobbágy V, Pommé S, Ivanov P. Alpha-particle emission probabilities of 231Pa derived from first semiconductor spectrometric measurements. Appl Radiat Isot 2019; 154:108863. [PMID: 31513990 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The nuclide 231Pa is a member of the 235U decay chain. It is a complex alpha emitter with 25 identified alpha emissions. Formerly published alpha-particle emission probabilities were derived from measurements taken with magnetic spectrometers. This work presents the first measurements made with semiconductor detectors. High-resolution alpha-particle spectrometry was carried out at CIEMAT and JRC using ion-implanted planar silicon detectors. Alpha-particle emission probabilities of 23 transitions were derived from deconvolutions of the spectra. For the major lines, uncertainties are lower than 1%, a significant improvement to existing data. The new data set will allow a more accurate evaluation of the decay scheme of 231Pa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - T Crespo
- Ciemat, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Marouli
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium
| | - V Jobbágy
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium
| | - S Pommé
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium
| | - P Ivanov
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington, UK
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Krmpotić M, Rožmarić M, Benedik L. Investigation of key factors in preparation of alpha sources by electrodeposition. Appl Radiat Isot 2018; 136:37-44. [PMID: 29459329 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The electrodeposition for alpha source preparation, using several electrolyte solution-cathode material combinations, is investigated and evaluated. The investigated factors focused on the electrodeposition time, the applied current, electrolyte volume and anode-cathode distances for the conventional electrodeposition cell (with no external stirring or cooling system). The conditions (temperature and the solution pH) during the electrodeposition process were also studied and discussed. The optimized parameters for each system are provided, and evaluated for the usage in determination of actinides (uranium, plutonium, americium and curium radioisotopes) in various samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Krmpotić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Martina Rožmarić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Krmpotić M, Rožmarić M, Benedik L. Evaluation of several electrolyte mixture-cathode material combinations in electrodeposition of americium radioisotopes for alpha-spectrometric measurements. Appl Radiat Isot 2017; 128:158-164. [PMID: 28728068 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Three different types of electrolytes, subsequently modified and adjusted, in combination with three cathode materials used as source backings were analysed for electrodeposition of americium isotopes for alpha-spectrometric measurements. The obtained results are discussed in terms of electrodeposition yield and source quality (source homogeneity and spectral resolution, FWHM). The optimal conditions for source preparation are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Krmpotić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Martina Rožmarić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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11
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Ko YG, Lim JM, Choi GS, Chung KH, Kang MJ. Characterizations of electrodeposited uranium layer on stainless steel disc. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2015.09.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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12
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Dion MP, Liezers M, Farmer OT, Miller BW, Morley S, Barinaga C, Eiden G. Improving alpha spectrometry energy resolution by ion implantation with ICP-MS. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3500-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Pommé S, García-Toraño E, Marouli M, Crespo M, Jobbágy V, Van Ammel R, Paepen J, Stroh H. High-resolution alpha-particle spectrometry of 238U. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 87:315-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Paepen J, Dirican A, Marouli M, Pommé S, Van Ammel R, Stroh H. A magnet system for the suppression of conversion electrons in alpha spectrometry. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 87:320-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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15
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Marouli M, Pommé S, Jobbágy V, Van Ammel R, Paepen J, Stroh H, Benedik L. Alpha-particle emission probabilities of 236U obtained by alpha spectrometry. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 87:292-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Benedik L, Sibbens G, Moens A, Eykens R, Nečemer M, Skapin SD, Kump P. Preparation of thick uranium layers on aluminium and stainless steel backings. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 87:238-41. [PMID: 24373873 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The methods of electrodeposition and "molecular plating" were studied for the production of uranium targets with an areal density up to 0.6 mg cm(-2) on aluminium and up to 1.5 mg cm(-2) on stainless steel backings from aqueous and organic electrolytes. For characterisation of the deposited material, gamma-ray spectrometry, alpha-particle spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and autoradiography were applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Benedik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - G Sibbens
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - A Moens
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - R Eykens
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - M Nečemer
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - S D Skapin
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - P Kump
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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