Energy Calibration of Gamma Spectra in Plastic Scintillators using Compton Kinematics

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 594(1):232-243

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2008.06.031· OSTI ID:939591

Siciliano, Edward R; Ely, James H; Kouzes, Richard T; Schweppe, John E; Strachan, Denis M; Yokuda, Satoru T

This paper describes a simple and practicable method for assigning energy values to gamma-ray pulse-height distributions measured with polyvinyl toluene based detectors. It is based upon the characteristic shape of the spectrum in the region of maximum energy deposition resulting from a single Compton scattering. The validity of this method is first demonstrated by applying it to a set of NaI(Tl) spectra, and comparing those results to the standard photo-peak method of calibrating the same spectra. The method is then applied to a set of polyvinyl toluene derived spectra.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 939591
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-56684; 400904120; TRN: US0806778
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 594(1):232-243, Vol. 594, Issue 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CALIBRATION
COMPTON EFFECT
GAMMA SPECTRA
PLASTIC SCINTILLATORS
POLYVINYLS
TOLUENE
ENERGY ABSORPTION
gamma-ray detection
portal monitor
radiation detection
homeland security
border security
detection of illicit materials
Monte Carlo modeling
detector calibration