Absolute measurement of 242gAm sources activities in the 241Am(n,γ) cross-section determination

Abstract

A calibration system composed of a 4πβ-γ gas-flow proportional counter coupled to a pair of NaI(Tl) crystals operating in coincidence was used for absolute measurement of Am242g sources activities. The samples were produced by irradiating dried aliquots of 241Am solution with epithermal neutrons in a research reactor. Efficiency tracing methodology using 60Co as tracer was applied. Thick external absorbers were used to change the Am242g beta detection efficiency and to avoid counting alpha particles from the dominating activity of 241Am. The resulting complex behavior of the beta detection efficiency curve was simulated by the Monte Carlo method, and the Am242g activity was obtained by least-squares method fitting. The activity was determined with an uncertainty of about 1%.