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Gamma-gamma coincidence performance of LaBr3:Ce scintillation detectors vs HPGe detectors in high count-rate scenarios

Journal Article · · Applied Radiation and Isotopes
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States). Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory, Pickle Research Campus
  2. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
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In this study, a radiation detection system consisting of two cerium doped lanthanum bromide (LaBr3:Ce) scintillation detectors in a gamma-gamma coincidence configuration has been used to demonstrate the advantages that coincident detection provides relative to a single detector, and the advantages that LaBr3:Ce detectors provide relative to high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. Signal to noise ratios of select photopeak pairs for these detectors have been compared to high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in both single and coincident detector configurations in order to quantify the performance of each detector configuration. The efficiency and energy resolution of LaBr3:Ce detectors have been determined and compared to HPGe detectors. Coincident gamma-ray pairs from the radionuclides 152Eu and 133Ba have been identified in a sample that is dominated by 137Cs. Gamma-gamma coincidence successfully reduced the Compton continuum from the large 137Cs peak, revealed several coincident gamma energies characteristic of these nuclides, and improved the signal-to-noise ratio relative to single detector measurements. LaBr3:Ce detectors performed at count rates multiple times higher than can be achieved with HPGe detectors. The standard background spectrum consisting of peaks associated with transitions within the LaBr3:Ce crystal has also been significantly reduced. Finally, it is shown that LaBr3:Ce detectors have the unique capability to perform gamma-gamma coincidence measurements in very high count rate scenarios, which can potentially benefit nuclear safeguards in situ measurements of spent nuclear fuel.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830; NA0002576
OSTI ID:
1342223
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1406684
OSTI ID: 1412588
Journal Information:
Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Journal Name: Applied Radiation and Isotopes Vol. 122; ISSN 0969-8043
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Selenium and mercury determination in biological samples using gamma–gamma coincidence and Compton suppression journal June 2011
Self-calibration method for cerium-doped lanthanum bromide scintillator detector in the 0.1–2.0 MeV energy range journal October 2013
Evaluation of efficiency for in situ gamma spectrometer based upon cerium-doped lanthanum bromide detector dedicated for environmental radiation monitoring journal January 2014
Determination of Selenium in coal fly ash via γ–γ coincidence neutron activation analysis journal May 2015
High count rate spectroscopy with LaBr3:Ce scintillation detectors
  • Löher, B.; Savran, D.; Fiori, E.
  • Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 686 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2012.05.051
journal September 2012
Comparison of LaBr3:Ce and NaI(Tl) Scintillators for Radio-Isotope Identification Devices report July 2006

Cited By (1)

Gamma–gamma coincidence in neutron activation analysis journal July 2018

Figures / Tables (8)

Figure 1(p. 6)figure Figure 1
Figure 2(p. 8)figure Figure 2
Figure 3(p. 9)figure Figure 3
Figure 4(p. 10)figure Figure 4
Figure 5(p. 10)figure Figure 5
Figure 6(p. 11)figure Figure 6
Table 1(p. 12)table Table 1
Figure 7(p. 14)figure Figure 7

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Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
Gamma spectroscopy
Gamma-gamma coincidence
HPGe
High count rate
LaBr3:Ce scintillation