Energy Calibration of Gamma Spectra in Plastic Scintillators using Compton Kinematics

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 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 Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 939591
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-56684; 400904120
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 594(1):232-243, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 594(1):232-243 Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 594
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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