Measurements of gamma-ray emission probabilities in the decay of americium-244g. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakamura, Shoji; Terada, Kazushi; Kimura, Atsushi; Nakao, Taro; Iwamoto, Osamu; Harada, Hideo; Uehara, Akihiro; Takamiya, Koichi; Fujii, Toshiyuki
• Is Part Of: Journal of nuclear science and technology. Volume 56:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Gamma-ray emission probability -- americium-244g -- americium-243 -- neutron capture cross section -- transmutation; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1080/00223131.2018.1539353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3131

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Accurate data of gamma-ray emission probabilities are frequently needed when one quantitatively determines the amount of isotope by gamma-ray measurements or obtains neutron capture cross-sections using them. Americium-243, one of the most important minor actinides, produces 244 Am after neutron capture. The 744-keV gamma-ray decaying from the ground state of 244 Am has a relatively large gamma-ray emission probability about 66%; however, its uncertainty is as large as 29%. The uncertainty of the gamma-ray emission probability leads to a major factor of the systematic uncertainty on determining an amount of isotope, and therefore the gamma-ray emission probability was measured by using an activation method and an examined level structure of 244 Cm. In this study, the emission probability of 744-keV gamma-ray was derived as 66.5 ± 1.1%, and its uncertainty was improved from 29% to 2%.