Calculation of coincidence summing corrections for a specific small soil sample geometry

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Radioactivity and Radiochemistry

OSTI ID:466981

Helmer, R G; Gehrke, R J ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Previously, a system was developed at the INEL for measuring the gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides in small soil samples for the purpose of environmental monitoring. These samples were counted close to a {approx}20% thin-window n-type Ge detector and, therefore, it was necessary to take into account the coincidence summing that occurs for some radionuclides. In order to improve the technical basis for the coincidence summing corrections, the authors have carried out a study of the variation in the coincidence summing probability with position within the sample volume. A Monte Carlo electron and photon transport code (CYLTRAN) was used to compute peak and total efficiencies for various photon energies from 30 to 2000 keV at 30 points throughout the sample volume. The geometry for these calculations included the various components of the detector and source along with the shielding. The associated coincidence summing corrections were computed at these 30 positions in the sample volume and then averaged for the whole source. The influence of the soil and the detector shielding on the efficiencies was investigated.

• OSTI ID: 466981
• Journal Information: Radioactivity and Radiochemistry, Journal Name: Radioactivity and Radiochemistry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 8; ISSN RARAE6; ISSN 1045-845X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CORRECTIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
MONTE CARLO METHOD
RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS
SOILS