Characterization of 252Cf sources using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watson, Mara M.; Venkataraman, Ramkumar; Croft, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Applied radiation and isotopes. Volume 169(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: californium-252 -- Gamma-ray spectroscopy -- High-purity germanium detector; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Nuclear chemistry -- Periodicals; Internet resource; Periodical; 660.298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-8043

Abstract

Abstract: Californium-252 is used as a neutron calibration source for passive neutron correlation counting. Source age and isotopic information are needed to make decay corrections to the neutron emission rate due to the influence of 250 Cf. Gamma-ray signatures present in the spectrum from spontaneous fission products and odd-numbered Cf isotopes can be used with high accuracy to confirm or query declared values on a technical data sheet. This method is good practice for independently verifying the content of 252 Cf calibration sources. Highlights: Demonstrate the use of high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy to characterize Cf-252 sources. Calculate source age from spontaneous fission products and isotopic ratios from odd-numbered Cf isotopes. Perform associated uncertainty analyses for source age and isotopic ratios. Confirmation of source age and isotopic ratios from the technical data sheet.