Beta spectrometry with metallic magnetic calorimeters

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 87; pp. 302 - 305
• Main Authors: Loidl, M., Rodrigues, M., Le-Bret, C., Mougeot, X.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Series: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Radionuclide Metrology and its Applications 17–21 June 2013, Antwerp, Belgium
• Subjects: Beta spectrometry; Cryogenic detectors; Instrumentation and Detectors; Ionizing radiation metrology; Metallic magnetic calorimeters; Nuclear data; Nuclear Experiment; Physics; Cryogenic detectors; Metallic magnetic calorimeters; Nuclear data; Beta spectrometry; Ionizing radiation metrology; ionizing radiation metrology; 63Ni; shape factor; metallic magnetic calorimeters; beta radionuclide; beta spectrum; Ionizing radiations; cryogenic detector; detection efficiency; atomic exchange; nuclear data; metrology; cryogenic detectors; electroplated source; spectrum measurement; NiCl2 solution; beta source; Metallic magnetic calorimeter
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.024

Metallic magnetic calorimeters are a specific type of cryogenic detectors that have been shown to enable precise measurement of the shape of low energy beta spectra. The aim of their use at LNHB is the determination of the shape factors of beta spectra. The beta source is enclosed in the detector absorber, allowing for very high detection efficiency. It has turned out that the type of source is of crucial importance for the correctness of the measured spectrum. Spectra of 63Ni measured with several sources prepared by drying a NiCl2 solution differ from one another and from theory, whereas spectra measured with electroplated sources are reproducible and agree with theory. With these latter measurements we could confirm the atomic exchange effect down to very low energy (200eV). •The beta spectrum of 63Ni was measured with metallic magnetic calorimeters.•Dried sources are not adequate, electroplated sources yield accurate spectra.•The atomic exchange effect was confirmed down to very low energy (200eV).