Improved method for the calculation of the counting efficiency of electron-capture nuclides in liquid scintillation samples

TDCRPy: A python package for TDCR measurements

The TDCR (Triple-to-Double Coincidence Ratio) measurement technique is a primary standardization method used by metrology laboratories to accurately determine the activity of radioactive solutions, particularly for radionuclides unsuitable for traditional coincidence counting methods, such as pure beta emitters. The TDCR method leverages a liquid scintillation counter equipped with three photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). This paper introduces TDCRPy, a novel Python package developed by the BIPM, designed to calculate detection efficiency of liquid scintillation counters using Monte Carlo simulations and decay data evaluations from the Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP). The software simulates particle interactions within the liquid scintillation counter, utilizing pre-calculated probability distributions for energy deposition. Comparisons with the PENNUC/NUR code and tests with measurement from the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Co-60 key comparison demonstrate the potential of TDCRPy. This open-source package is distributed at https://pypi.org/project/TDCRPy and available for collaborative development on GitHub https://github.com/RomainCoulon/TDCRPy, where detailed user documentation can be found.

Determination of the activity and nuclear decay data of 157Tb

Terbium-157 was radiochemically extracted from an irradiated tantalum target. Since the resulting material contained a significant impurity of 158Tb, 157Tb was isotopically purified using laser resonance ionization at the RISIKO mass separator in Mainz and then implanted on an aluminum (Al) foil. The implanted 157Tb was measured by two different calibrated gamma-ray spectrometers to determine photon emission rates. After dissolving the Al foil, a high purity 157Tb solution was obtained. The corresponding activity concentration was determined with a low relative uncertainty of 0.52% through a combination of liquid scintillation counting using the TDCR method and 4π(X,e)(LS)-(X,γ)(CeBr3) coincidence counting. By combining the results from all measurement techniques, emission intensities for K X-rays and gamma-rays were derived and found to be 16.05(31)% and 0.0064(2)%, respectively. The probability for K electron capture of the first forbidden non-unique transition to the ground state was determined to be 17.16(35)%. The probabilities for the electron-capture branch to the excited level and the ground state were found to be 0.084(4)% and 99.916(4)%, respectively. A Q+ value of 60.23(18) keV was estimated based on simplified BetaShape calculations, assuming an allowed transition.

Measurements of the absolute gamma-ray emission intensities from the decay of 166Ho

166Ho (T1/2≈ 26.8 h) is an emerging theragnostic radionuclide of interest in nuclear medicine due to its peculiar decay scheme, featuring high-energy β- emission (≈ 1.8 MeV) coupled with the main gamma-ray emission (≈ 80.6 keV). Using the new 166Ho activity standard and the well-calibrated, high-energy resolution HPGe detector, both available at ENEA-INMRI, a new determination of several 166Ho gamma-ray emission intensities, Iγ, was performed with low uncertainty. The new Iγ values contributed to the Decay Data Evaluation Project.

Activity standard and calibrations for 227Th with ingrowing progeny

Thorium-227 was separated from its progeny and standardized for activity by the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method of liquid scintillation counting. Confirmatory liquid scintillation-based measurements were made using efficiency tracing with 3H and live-timed anticoincidence counting (LTAC). The separation time and the efficiency of the separation were confirmed by gamma-ray spectrometry. Calibrations for reentrant pressurized ionization chambers, including commercial radionuclide calibrators, and a well-type NaI(Tl) detector are discussed.

Primary standardization and half-life determination of 225Ac at NRC

A solution of 225Ac was standardized by NRC using the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method. The counting efficiencies were calculated assuming a counting efficiency of 100% for alpha decays and those calculated using the MICELLE2 Monte Carlo code for beta decays and was approximately 500% for the NRC TDCR system. The relative uncertainty for the activity concentration was determined to be 0.25%. This agreed with measurements performed using gamma spectroscopy and a predicted calibration factor for the Vinten 671 ionization chamber as calculated using an EGSnrc model, implementing radioactive decay. Finally, the half-life of 225Ac was determined from long-term measurements using ionization chambers and liquid scintillation counting. The NRC measured half-life for 225Ac was found to be 9.914(4) days and is consistent within an expanded uncertainty coverage of k = 2 with the most recent (Kossert et al., 2020; Pommé et al., 2012) measurements of this decay parameter.

Liquid scintillation efficiencies, gamma-ray emission intensities, and half-life for Gd-153

Gadolinium-153 was standardized for activity by live-timed anticoincidence counting and an ampoule was submitted to the international reference system (SIR). Absolute emission intensities for the main γ rays were determined with calibrated high-purity germanium (HPGe) and lithium-drifted silicon (Si(Li)) detectors. A revised decay scheme is indicated, with no probability of direct electron capture to the 153Eu ground state. Triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) efficiency curves indicate that the revised decay scheme is consistent with experiment. Half-life measurements agree with a previous NIST determination and show no sensitivity to chemical environment.

Activity standardization of 32Si at PTB

Within the scope of the SINCRON project, several 32Si solutions were measured by means of liquid scintillation (LS) counting techniques at PTB to determine the activity concentration. Initial results revealed limited long-term stability of the samples, and a discrepancy between the TDCR method and the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method was found. In some cases, the sample instability could not be completely avoided but there is evidence that the results of the first measurements which are carried out within a few days after sample preparation can be used for an activity determination, though with increased uncertainty. Various sample compositions were tested, and a systematic study of long-term measurements and further experiments indicates that the sample instability is due to an adsorption-like effect. The discrepancies between the two LS methods were significantly lower when measuring other 32Si solutions. The initially observed discrepancies are likely due to low-energetic radioactive impurities that can be present in some of the 32Si solutions. A spectral analysis supports the thesis that tritium is present in the first solution and even allows a rough quantification of the activity ratio A(3H)/A(32Si/32P). This value allows impurity corrections to be applied, which leads to a noticeable improvement in the agreement between TDCR and CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing. Finally, a new LS sample composition with 15 mL Ultima Gold and 1 mL of HCl (0.5 mol/L) was found to yield stable LS samples. The activity determinations presented in this paper represent a fundamental step towards a new 32Si half-life determination in the framework of the SINCHRON project.

Measurement of the activity and determination of the half-life of 225Ac at POLATOM

A method for absolute measurements of the 225Ac activity in equilibrium with its progeny was developed. Measurements were performed using the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method in two different TDCR counters. The activity concentration of an 225Ac solution was determined and the solution was sent to the SIR system for a comparison. The half-life of 225Ac was determined by one of the TDCR counters and found to be 9.9150(63) days.

Activity standardization of 60Co and 106Ru/106Rh by means of the TDCR method and the importance of the beta spectrum

Atomic and nuclear data represent an important input for the accuracy of primary activity measurements based on liquid scintillation. In particular, the reliability of β-spectrum computation has been investigated for several years through experimental and theoretical studies providing solid evidence for the need to consider the atomic effects. In the present study, the activity standardization of two β-emitting radionuclides (60Co, 106Ru/106Rh) was carried out by means of the 4πβ-γ coincidence and Triple-to-Double Coincidence Ratio (TDCR) methods. The comparison between the activity concentrations given by both primary techniques presents new evidence that a better agreement is obtained when the exchange and screening effects are included in the β-spectra implemented in the model of light emission for TDCR measurements. A new development of a stochastic model based on Geant4 simulations for TDCR calculations is also presented.

A bilateral comparison between LNHB and PTB to determine the activity concentration of the same 125I solution

A bilateral comparison to determine the activity concentration of the same 125I solution was organized. As electron-capture radionuclide with a rather high atomic number, 125I must be regarded as difficult to measure. The situation is partly exacerbated by the fact that some established standardization methods, like photon-photon coincidence counting, can no longer be applied due to the unavailability of appropriate equipment and expertise. One aim of this work is to compare modern liquid scintillation counting methods for the standardization of 125I. Both participating metrology institutes have used their custom-built triple-to-double-coincidence ratio (TDCR) counters and the determined activity concentrations are in excellent agreement even though the ways to analyze the data and to compute counting efficiencies were widely independent. The results also agree with the outcome of 4π-γ counting that was carried out at LNHB. In both laboratories, the measurements were complemented by measurements with several secondary standardization methods which even allow to establish a link to the CCRI(II)-K2.I-125(2) comparison started in 2004. A good agreement between the TDCR results and the key comparison reference value of the 2004/2005 comparison was obtained.

Activity standardization and half-life measurement of 177Lu

The activity of the ¹⁷⁷Lu solution has been measured by means of the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method. This result has been compared to the previous obtained results received from 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence and anticoincidence counting. The activities determined with various methods have been found to be consistent. The decay curve of the ¹⁷⁷Lu solution has been followed in the TDCR counter to determine the half-life of this isotope. The half-life has been separately determined for double and triple coincidence events. The arithmetic mean value of these two results has been found to be T_1/2 = 6.6489(52) d.

Primary standardization of 212Pb activity by liquid scintillation counting

An activity standard for 212Pb in equilibrium with its progeny was realized, based on triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) liquid scintillation (LS) counting. A Monte Carlo-based approach to estimating uncertainties due to nuclear decay data (branching ratios, beta endpoint energies, γ-ray energies, and conversion coefficients for 212Pb and 208Tl) led to combined standard uncertainties ≤ 0.20 %. Confirmatory primary measurements were made by LS efficiency tracing with tritium and 4παβ(LS)-γ(NaI(Tl)) anticoincidence counting. The standard is discussed in relation to current approaches to 212Pb activity calibration. In particular, potential biases encountered when using inappropriate radionuclide calibrator settings are discussed.

Activity standardization of two enriched 40K solutions for the determination of decay scheme parameters and the half-life

In this paper we describe experiments on two enriched ⁴⁰K solutions to accurately determine decay data. The first solution was measured in 2004/2005 by means of a gamma-ray spectrometer with low background and a liquid scintillation (LS) counter to apply the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method. A combination of results yields an emission probability of the 1461 keV gamma-rays of P_γ = 0.1030(11) which is lower than current results of data evaluations. The activity concentration of the second solution was also determined by means of LS counting, but here, the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method as well as the TDCR method were applied. Again, the result was combined with that of independent gamma-ray spectrometry and the gamma-ray emission probability was found to be P_γ = 0.1029(9) in good agreement with the result obtained from the first solution. A combination of both experiments yields P_γ = 0.1029(9). The spectra of a TriCarb LS counter were carefully analyzed and a beta minus emission probability [Formula: see text]  = 0.8954(14) was determined. The new results for P_γ and [Formula: see text] indicate that the overall probability of the decay via EC in recent data evaluations is overestimated. The LS counting efficiencies were computed with a stochastic model and up-to-date calculations of the beta spectrum and fractional EC probabilities were used. The final activity result of the second solution is combined with the outcome of a comprehensive isotopic analysis to determine the half-life of ⁴⁰K which is found to be 1.2536(27) ·10⁹ years. All above-stated uncertainties are standard uncertainties (k = 1).

Activity standardization by means of liquid scintillation counting and determination of the half-life of 89Zr

A⁸⁹Zr solution was measured by means of liquid scintillation counting techniques in order to determine the activity concentration. Two methods were used: the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method with ³H as a tracer, and the triple-to-double coincidence ratio method. The counting efficiencies were computed with a stochastic model. The very detailed investigation showed that a few corrections are particularly important: Asymmetries in the photodetector responses as well as the backscattering of high-energy gamma rays must be taken into account. Corresponding corrections have therefore been applied. In addition, a detailed uncertainty analysis was carried out and the uncertainties compared with those determined by other research groups. The activity concentrations obtained from the two methods agree well and a combined result was used to establish calibration factors for ionization chambers, which are important secondary standardization instruments. The ionization chambers were combined with a new high-precision current measurement device to provide outstanding linearity. Measurement data from one chamber were used to determine the half-life, which was found to be T_1/2=(78.373 ± 0.023) h.

First direct determination of the 93Mo half-life

This work presents the first direct measurement of the ⁹³Mo half-life. The measurement is a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometry for the determination of the ⁹³Mo concentration and liquid scintillation counting for determining the specific activity. A ⁹³Mo sample of high purity was obtained from proton irradiated niobium by chemical separation of molybdenum with a decontamination factor larger than 1.6 × 10¹⁴ with respect to Nb. The half-life of ⁹³Mo was deduced to be 4839(63) years, which is more than 20% longer than the currently adopted value, whereas the relative uncertainty could be reduced by a factor of 15. The probability that the ⁹³Mo decays to the metastable state ^93mNb was determined to be 95.7(16)%. This value is a factor of 8 more precise than previous estimations. Due to the man-made production of ⁹³Mo in nuclear facilities, the result leads to significantly increased precision for modelling the low-level nuclear waste composition. The presented work demonstrates the importance of chemical separations in combination with state-of-the-art analysis techniques, which are inevitable for precise and accurate determinations of nuclear decay data.

On the photomultiplier-tube asymmetry in liquid scintillation counters for the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method

The triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) and the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing (CNET) methods are important techniques for accurate activity determination in radionuclide metrology and other fields. The methods require liquid scintillation (LS) counters with three (TDCR) or two (CNET) photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), respectively, and the original techniques assume that the responses of all PMTs in a counter system are identical. This assumption is, however, often not fulfilled. This may have significant consequences for the activity determination, and dedicated corrections are required. Corresponding effects and possible corrections for the TDCR method were discussed in a recent article (Kossert et al., 2020) while the CNET method was not included in that work. The intention of this paper is to present a brief theoretical consideration of this problem. This paper makes clear that for most radionuclides potential PMT asymmetries in CNET counters are of minor importance. In addition, measures to identify potential asymmetries in these counters are discussed.

Absolute standardisation and determination of the half-life and gamma emission intensities of 89Zr

An absolute standardisation of ⁸⁹Zr was performed alongside determination of gamma emission intensities and half-life. The collected data were evaluated alongside complementary works from previous publications and new recommended nuclear data values are presented including a new evaluated T_1/2 = 78.361(25) h and new absolute intensities for gamma transitions resulting from its decay to ⁸⁹Y. Dial settings for commercially available radionuclide calibrators are also presented and show a relative difference of approximately 3% compared to previously published values.

On the photomultiplier-tube asymmetry in TDCR systems

The responses of the three photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) in a triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) liquid scintillation (LS) system are often not identical. Such asymmetries can have a significant influence on activity determinations. The problem is often solved by means of a minimization algorithm which can easily be applied when analytical methods are used for the efficiency calculation, as is usually done for pure beta emitters. However, for radionuclides with more complex decay schemes, the counting efficiencies are often calculated with stochastic methods and the computation of the required corrections becomes very challenging. This paper presents a new numerical method to overcome the asymmetry problem for such complex decays and a comprehensive study on ⁵⁵Fe is described in detail. For the measurements, the asymmetry was varied by means of grey filter films which were placed in front of one of the photomultiplier tubes. In the case of the pure electron-capture (EC) radionuclide ⁵⁵Fe, the asymmetry can also be taken into account with a very simple correction which is derived assuming monoenergetic emissions. This work is also of great importance for the planned extension of the International Reference System (SIR) at the BIPM which will be used for international comparisons in radionuclide metrology.

TDCR measurements to determine the half-life of 55Fe

Several measurements with aliquots from a ⁵⁵Fe solution were carried out using two custom-built TDCR counters. The time between the initial and the last measurements is 2304 d, i.e. a length of more than two half-lives. The data were analysed to determine the half-life of ⁵⁵Fe, which was found to be (1006.2 ± 1.0) d. The determined half-life is longer than the current values from nuclear data evaluations, but it is in good agreement with recent results obtained by Pommé et al. (2019).

Primary standardization of 224Ra activity by liquid scintillation counting

A standard for activity of ²²⁴Ra in secular equilibrium with its progeny has been developed, based on triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) liquid scintillation (LS) counting. The standard was confirmed by efficiency tracing and 4παβ(LS)-γ(NaI(Tl)) anticoincidence counting, as well as by 4πγ ionization chamber and NaI(Tl) measurements. Secondary standard ionization chambers were calibrated with an expanded uncertainty of 0.62% (k = 2). Calibration settings were also determined for a 5 mL flame-sealed ampoule on several commercial reentrant ionization chambers (dose calibrators).

Production of a carrier-free standard 56Mn source for the NRC manganese salt bath

The National Research Council (NRC) of Canada's primary method for emission rate for radionuclide neutron sources utilizes a manganese salt bath which was last calibrated in the 1960s. At that time, an NRC RaBe neutron source was used to irradiate a solution of calcium permanganate to take advantage of the Szilard-Chalmers effect in producing the bulk ⁵⁶Mn material for standardization and calibration of the bath. When attempting to repeat this exercise, a small amount (~100 kBq) was produced. This amount was sufficient for the standardization process but did not yield enough material to calibrate the bath to a sufficient level of precision. Improvements upon the previous separation scheme adopted at NRC for the separation of the ⁵⁶Mn from the bulk irradiated material included the rinsing of the ⁵⁶Mn dioxide precipitate using a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. While these improvements made in the separation chemistry improved the yield of ⁵⁶Mn extraction from 60% to above 95% the maximum amount of activity was still quite low. Hence in March of 2018, the SLOWPOKE-2 Facility at the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON, was used to irradiate three vials of KMnO₄ in solution. An estimated 2 GBq was produced and sent to NRC, from which the extraction procedure recovered essentially all of the available ⁵⁶Mn. The ⁵⁶Mn was standardized using the 4πβ-γ anti-coincidence counting system and confirmed using the CIEMAT/NIST primary method. The resulting bulk material was certified with an uncertainty of 0.8% (k = 2). Minor quantities of ⁶⁵Zn, ^69mZn and ⁴²K were unexpectedly observed but were in minute quantities so as not to affect the results of the standardization or calibration. The standardized ⁵⁶Mn artifact was used to calibrate the Secondary Standard Ionizing Radiation Chamber System (SSIRCS) for a more rapid deployment of the calibrant in the future.

The first official measurement of 11C in the SIRTI

In the summer of 2017, the Système International de Référence Transfer Instrument (SIRTI) of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) was hosted by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in Ottawa, Canada. This SIRTI visit was unique in many aspects. It was the first visit of the SIRTI to Canada. NRC was the first National Metrological Institute (NMI) to perform comparisons of four isotopes (^99mTc, ¹⁸F, ⁶⁴Cu and ¹¹C) during a single two-week period. Finally, this was the first official measurement of ¹¹C in the SIRTI. The NRC had performed a primary standardization of ¹¹C in February of 2017 and calibrated its Secondary Standard Ionizing Radiation Chamber System (SSIRCS) in preparation for the SIRTI comparison. Two primary Liquid Scintillation methods (CIEMAT/NIST and TDCR) were employed and the results agreed. The stock material was received from a local cyclotron in the form of a ¹¹C-labelled sodium acetate (NaC₂H₃O₂). Three ampoules were prepared for the purposes of comparison; one concentrated from the bulk material and two derived from a single dilution. Some inconsistency was evident due to a weighing problem for one of the ampoules containing the diluted solution, whose measurements were excluded from the analysis. The other two ampoules' results were consistent within their respective uncertainties. The SIRTI was very stable and the final BIPM report will detail the stability checks, performance and behaviour of the SIRTI during its measurement campaign in Canada. There is still no Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV) for ¹¹C as NRC is the first participant. However, during a test of the SIRTI at NPL in 2014, an equivalent SIRTI activity was measured as 9.87(5) kBq which was consistent with MonteCarlo predictions for ¹¹C in the SIRTI of 9.867(15) kBq. The NRC SIRTI equivalent activity for ¹¹C agrees within uncertainty with these results. This offers encouragement to other NMIs to request a ¹¹C comparison given the consistency of experimental results from NRC and test results from the National Physical Laboratory, UK (NPL) and the BIPM. Finally a half-life measurement was determined from the NRC measurement of multiple half-lives of a ¹¹C ampoule and was found to be 20.332(40)min. From the SIRTI measurements at NRC, the half-life was derived as 20.328(13) min. This is smaller but consistent with the DDEP recommended value of 20.361(23)min.

Standardization of I-124 by three liquid scintillation-based methods

A solution of ¹²⁴I was standardized for activity by 4πβ(LS)-γ(NaI) live-timed anticoincidence (LTAC) counting, with confirmatory measurements by triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) and CIEMAT-NIST efficiency tracing (CNET) liquid scintillation counting. The LTAC-based standard was shown to be in agreement (within k = 1 uncertainties) with previous measurements at NIST and elsewhere. Calibration settings for radionuclide calibrators were determined and a discrepancy with literature values, partially due to a calibration methodology dependent upon an erroneous setting for ¹⁸F, was identified and explained.

Standardization of 64Cu activity

The complex decay scheme that makes 64Cu promising as both an imaging and therapeutic agent in medicine also makes the absolute measurement of its activity challenging. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has completed a primary activity standardization of a 64CuCl2 solution using the 4πβ(LS)-γ(NaI) live-timed anticoincidence (LTAC) counting method with a combined standard uncertainty of 0.51 %. Two liquid scintillation (LS) counting methods were employed for confirmatory measurements. Secondary measurements were made by high-purity germanium detectors, pressurized ionization chambers (IC), and a well-type NaI(Tl) counter. Agreement between the LTAC-based standard and standards from other laboratories was established via IC calibration factors. Poor agreement between methods and with theoretical IC responses may indicate a need for improved β+/- branching probabilities and a better treatment of β+/- spectra.

Natural Uranium Radioactivity Solution Standard: SRM 4321d

A new natural uranium solution standard has been produced and will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as Standard Reference Material 4321d. The standard is certified for the massic activities of ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, and ²³⁸U in solution, and it is based on isotopic mass data for the metallic Certified Reference Material (CRM) 112-A (originally issued as SRM 960) that was obtained from THE U.S. Department of Energy, New Brunswick Laboratory. The metallic CRM was chemically cleaned, dissolved, and gravimetrically diluted to prepare a master solution, which was quantitatively dispensed into 5 mL aliquots that were contained within flame-sealed glass ampoules for each SRM unit. Homogeneity among SRM units, verifying solution homogeneity, was substantiated by photonic-emission integral counting with a NaI(Tl) well counter. Confirmatory measurements were performed by liquid scintillation counting for the total massic activity, and by isotope dilution α spectrometry for the ²³⁴U and ²³⁸U massic activities.

Activity determination of 60Co and the importance of its beta spectrum

The activity concentration of a ⁶⁰Co solution was measured by means of two 4πβ-γ coincidence counting systems using a liquid scintillation counter and a proportional counter (PC) in the beta channel, respectively. Additional liquid scintillation measurements were carried out and CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing as well as the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) methods were applied to analyse the data. The last two methods require computed beta spectra to determine the counting efficiencies. The results of both 4πβ-γ coincidence counting techniques are in very good agreement and yield a robust reference value. The initial activity concentration determined with liquid scintillation counting was found to be significantly lower than the results from 4πβ-γ coincidence counting. In addition, the results from TDCR and CIEMAT/NIST show some inconsistency. The discrepancies were resolved by applying new beta spectrum calculations for the dominant allowed beta transition of ⁶⁰Co. The use of calculations which take screening effects as well as the atomic exchange effect into account leads to good agreement between all four methods; the combination of these techniques delivers an important validation of beta spectra.

Comparison of tritiated-water standards by liquid scintillation for calibration of a new Standard Reference Material®

A new National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tritiated-water ((3)H-labeled oxidane) standard was prepared and calibrated. It is the 17th in a series of linked standards since 1954 and will be disseminated as Standard Reference Material® SRM 4927G, having a massic activity of 544.2kBqg(-1), with an expanded (k=2) relative standard uncertainty of 0.96%, at a Reference Time of 1200 EST, 1 May 2015. The calibration is based on relative liquid scintillation (LS) measurements using quench-varied efficiency tracing with two previous 1999 issues, viz., SRM 4927F and 4926E. Measurement comparisons were also made with respect to a 1994 tritiated-water French national standard and to a tritiated-water solution measured by 19 laboratories as part of an international measurement comparison organized by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) in 2009. Confirmatory measurements for the massic activity of both SRM 4927F and 4927G by a triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) technique were also made.

Micellar phase boundaries under the influence of ethyl alcohol

The Compton spectrum quenching technique is used to monitor the effect of ethyl alcohol (EtOH) additions on phase boundaries in two systems. In toluenic solutions of the nonionic surfactant, Triton X-100, EtOH shifts the boundary separating the first clear phase from the first turbid phase to higher water:surfactant ratios. In a commonly used scintillant, Ultima Gold AB, the critical micelle concentration is not shifted. The molecular interactions behind the observations and implications for liquid scintillation counting are discussed.

Standardisation of the (129)I, (151)Sm and (166m)Ho activity concentration using the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method

The (129)I, (151)Sm and (166m)Ho standardisations using the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method, that have been carried out in the frame of the European Metrology Research Program project "Metrology for Radioactive Waste Management" are described. The radionuclide beta counting efficiencies were calculated using two computer codes CN2005 and MICELLE2. The sensitivity analysis of the code input parameters (ionization quenching factor, beta shape factor) on the calculated efficiencies was performed, and the results are discussed. The combined relative standard uncertainty of the standardisations of the (129)I, (151)Sm and (166m)Ho solutions were 0.4%, 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively. The stated precision obtained using the CIEMAT/NIST method is better than that previously reported in the literature obtained by the TDCR ((129)I), the 4πγ-NaI ((166m)Ho) counting or the CIEMAT/NIST method ((151)Sm).

Comparison of (14)C liquid scintillation counting at NIST and NRC Canada

An informal bilateral comparison of (14)C liquid scintillation (LS) counting at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been completed. Two solutions, one containing (14)C-labeled sodium benzoate and one containing (14)C-labeled n-hexadecane, were measured at both laboratories. Despite observed LS cocktail instabilities, the two laboratories achieved accord in their standardizations of both solutions. At the conclusion of the comparison, the beta spectrum used for efficiency calculations was identified as inadequate and the data were reanalyzed with different inputs, improving accord.

Revision of the NIST Standard for (223)Ra: New Measurements and Review of 2008 Data

After discovering a discrepancy in the transfer standard currently being disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), we have performed a new primary standardization of the alpha-emitter (223)Ra using Live-timed Anticoincidence Counting (LTAC) and the Triple-to-Double Coincidence Ratio Method (TDCR). Additional confirmatory measurements were made with the CIEMAT-NIST efficiency tracing method (CNET) of liquid scintillation counting, integral γ-ray counting using a NaI(Tl) well counter, and several High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors in an attempt to understand the origin of the discrepancy and to provide a correction. The results indicate that a -9.5 % difference exists between activity values obtained using the former transfer standard relative to the new primary standardization. During one of the experiments, a 2 % difference in activity was observed between dilutions of the (223)Ra master solution prepared using the composition used in the original standardization and those prepared using 1 mol·L(-1) HCl. This effect appeared to be dependent on the number of dilutions or the total dilution factor to the master solution, but the magnitude was not reproducible. A new calibration factor ("K-value") has been determined for the NIST Secondary Standard Ionization Chamber (IC "A"), thereby correcting the discrepancy between the primary and secondary standards.

Set-up of a new TDCR counter at IRA-METAS

A triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) counter was recently constructed at IRA-METAS for liquid scintillation based primary activity standardisations. A description of its optical chamber, efficiency change tools, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and electronics is given. This TDCR system was validated by measuring several standard solutions of beta emitters including (45)Ca, (14)C, (63)Ni and (3)H. The activity concentrations, obtained from these measurements and efficiencies computed with a FORTRAN code we developed for symmetric and asymmetric PMTs, agree with the certified values within uncertainties.

Activity determination of (59)Fe

Iron-59 was measured in three commercial and two custom-built liquid scintillation counters. The counting efficiencies were determined using CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing and the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method, respectively. The efficiency computation for the TDCR method was realized by means of the MICELLE2 program, applying a stochastic model for the computation of electron emission spectra. The program was extended to make calculations of spectra originating from complex decay schemes possible. In addition, a new parameterization of electron stopping powers for 10 commercial liquid scintillation cocktails was included in the software. The activities determined with the two methods were in very good agreement; the relative standard uncertainty of the combined result was found to be 0.16%. It was used to calibrate a 4π ionization chamber at PTB for future calibrations of this isotope which is used for investigations of iron metabolism. A standardized solution was submitted to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) to be measured in the ionization chambers of the International Reference System (SIR) for comparison purposes. The liquid scintillation samples were also measured in a new portable TDCR system with three channel photomultipliers. Although this system has a much lower counting efficiency, the activity was in satisfactory agreement with the conventional TDCR system. The usage of the portable TDCR system, thus, provides an important test of the free parameter model.

Identification of phase boundaries in surfactant solutions via Compton spectrum quenching

The critical micelle concentration and the phase boundary between isolated surfactant molecules and aggregates are probed via fluorescence spectroscopy and a Compton spectrum quenching technique for aqueous and toluenic solutions of Triton X-100 (TX-100). The internal fluorophore of TX-100 provides a convenient probe for the fluorescence measurements, and the appearance of redder bands in the fluorescence spectra and their relationship with aggregation (clustering of TX-100) phenomena is addressed. The Compton spectrum quenching approach makes use of quench indicating parameters (QIPs) commonly measured in liquid scintillation counting experiments. Phase boundaries identified by the QIP-based approach are in excellent accord with the fluorescence-based approach.

A Review of NIST Primary Activity Standards for (18)F: 1982 to 2013

The new NIST activity standardization for (18)F, described in 2014 in Applied Radiation and Isotopes (v. 85, p. 77), differs from results obtained between 1998 and 2008 by 4 %. The new results are considered to be very reliable; they are based on a battery of robust primary measurement techniques and bring the NIST standard into accord with other national metrology institutes. This paper reviews all ten (18)F activity standardizations performed at NIST from 1982 to 2013, with a focus on experimental variables that might account for discrepancies. We have identified many possible sources of measurement bias and eliminated most of them, but we have not adequately accounted for the 1998-2008 results.

A new NIST primary standardization of 18F

A new primary standardization of (18)F by NIST is reported. The standard is based on live-timed beta-gamma anticoincidence counting with confirmatory measurements by three other methods: (i) liquid scintillation (LS) counting using CIEMAT/NIST (3)H efficiency tracing; (ii) triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) counting; and (iii) NaI integral counting and HPGe γ-ray spectrometry. The results are reported as calibration factors for NIST-maintained ionization chambers (including some "dose calibrators"). The LS-based methods reveal evidence for cocktail instability for one LS cocktail. Using an ionization chamber to link this work with previous NIST results, the new value differs from the previous reports by about 4%, but appears to be in good agreement with the key comparison reference value (KCRV) of 2005.