A novel method for the activity measurement of large-area beta reference sources

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 109; pp. 358 - 362
• Main Authors: Stanga, D., De Felice, P., Keightley, J., Capogni, M., Ioan, M.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Algorithms; Anodizing; Beta Particles; Emission; Foils; Internationality; Isotopes; Large area reference sources; Method of measurement; Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; Numerical model; Radioisotopes - analysis; Radioisotopes - standards; Reference sources; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spectrometry; Spectrometry, Gamma - methods; Spectrometry, Gamma - standards; Uncertainty; Large area reference sources; Numerical model; Method of measurement
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.12.030

A novel method has been developed for the activity measurement of large-area beta reference sources. It makes use of two emission rate measurements and is based on the weak dependence between the source activity and the activity distribution for a given value of transmission coefficient. The method was checked experimentally by measuring the activity of two (60Co and 137Cs) large-area reference sources constructed from anodized aluminum foils. Measurement results were compared with the activity values measured by gamma spectrometry. For each source, they agree within one standard uncertainty and also agree within the same limits with the certified values of the source activity. •A novel method for determining the activity of large-area sources is described.•The method makes use of two emission rate measurements.•It has uncertainties smaller than the limit of 10% required by ISO 8769.