Experimental validation of corrections factors for γ–γ and γ–X coincidence summing of 133Ba, 152Eu, and 125Sb in volume sources

True coincidence summing correction factors for 133Ba, 152Eu and 125Sb were determined experimentally for a small volume source and compared with correction factors obtained with three softwares (EFFTRAN-X, GESPECOR and VGSL). The radionuclides investigated have a relatively challenging decay scheme and their spectra are known to suffer from losses due to summation (γ–γ, γ–X and X–X) when measured at close distances on a HPGe detector sensitive to low energy photons. This study shows that the softwares were in good agreement with each other and the experimental data and the calculated activity was consistent with the activity in the volume source.

Development of granular radioactive reference source from 152,154Eu adsorbed on tin tungstate matrix

A reference source with the granular active portion was made using 152,154Eu(III) loaded tin tungstate material. Batch equilibration method was used to investigate the interaction of 152,154Eu(III) radiotracer (10−4 M) in acid solutions on tin(IV) tungstate gel matrix. The sorption behavior of 152,154Eu(III) showed high affinity towards tin(IV) tungstate gel matrix at low pH values. Tin tungstate gel matrix was loaded with 152,154Eu from batch at pH 3. Standardization of the source was done spectroscopically with reference to primary certified set of radioactive sources and with the aid of HPGe detector. Random and true coincidence summing was carried out by following-up coincidence in 152Eu and possible interference between γ lines of 152Eu and 154Eu. The relation between the grain size and the activity of samples was studied. Correction factor for capsule attenuation was applied.