ASTM E181-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
Standard Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
ABSTRACT
These methods cover general procedures for the calibration of radiation detectors and the analysis of radionuclides. For each individual radionuclide, one or more of these methods may apply. These methods are concerned only with specific radionuclide measurements. The chemical and physical properties of the radionuclides are beyond the scope of this standard. Among the measurement standards discussed are: the calibration and usage of germanium detectors, scintillation detector systems, scintillation detectors for simple and complex spectra, and counting methods such as beta particle counting, aluminum absorption curve, alpha particle counting, and liquid scintillation counting. For each of the methods, the scope, apparatus used, summary of methods, preparation of apparatus, calibration procedure, measurement of radionuclide, performance testing, sources of uncertainty, precautions and tests, and calculations are detailed.
SCOPE
1.1 These methods cover general procedures for the calibration of radiation detectors and the analysis of radionuclides. For each individual radionuclide, one or more of these methods may apply.
1.2 These methods are concerned only with specific radionuclide measurements. The chemical and physical properties of the radionuclides are not within the scope of this standard.
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Designation: E181 − 10
Standard Test Methods for
1
Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E181; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
Sections
Counting Methods:
1.1 These methods cover general procedures for the cali-
Beta Particle Counting 25-26
brationofradiationdetectorsandtheanalysisofradionuclides. Aluminum Absorption Curve 27–31
Alpha Particle Counting 32–39
Foreachindividualradionuclide,oneormoreofthesemethods
Liquid Scintillation Counting 40–48
may apply.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
1.2 These methods are concerned only with specific radio-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
nuclide measurements. The chemical and physical properties
standard.
of the radionuclides are not within the scope of this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3 The measurement standards appear in the following
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
order:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Sections priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Spectroscopy Methods:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Calibration and Usage of Germa-
nium Detectors 3–12
2. Referenced Document
Calibration and Usage of Scintillation
2
Detector Systems: 13–20
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Calibration and Usage of Scintillation
E170Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and
Detectors for Simple Spectra 16
Calibration and Usage of Scintillation Dosimetry
Detectors for Complex Spectra 17
1
These methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear
2
Technology and Applications. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approvedin1961.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2003asE181–98(2003).DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0181-10. the ASTM website.
SPECTROSCOPY METHODS
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 certified radioactivity standard source—a calibrated 3.1.4 national radioactivity standard source—a calibrated
radioactive source, with stated accuracy, whose calibration is radioactive source prepared and distributed as a standard
certified by the source supplier as traceable to the National reference material by the U.S. National Institute of Standards
3
Radioactivity Measurements System (1). and Technology.
3.1.5 resolution, gamma ray—the measured FWHM, after
3.1.2 check source—a radioactivity source, not necessarily
calibrated, that is used to confirm the continuing satisfactory background subtraction, of a gamma-ray peak distribution,
expressed in units of energy.
operation of an instrument.
3.1.3 FWHM—(full width at half maximum) the full width
3.2 Abbreviations:
of a gamma-ray peak distribution measured at half the maxi- 3.2.1 MCA—Multichannel Analyzer.
mum ordinate above the continuum.
3.2.2 SCA—Single Channel Analyzer.
3.2.3 ROI—Region-Of-Interest.
3
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
these methods. 3.3 For other relevant terms, see Terminology E170.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E181 − 10
3.4 correlated photon summing—thesimultaneousdetection manufacturer’s limitations and cautions. All tests described in
of two or more photons originating from a single nuclear Section 12 should be performed before starting the
disintegration. calibrations, and all corrections shall be made when required.
A check source should be used to check the stability of the
3.5 dead time—the time after a triggering pulse during
system at least before and after the calibration.
which the system is unable to retrigger.
NOTE 1—The terms “standard source” and “radioactivity standard” are
8. Calibration Procedure
general terms used to refer to the sources and standards of National
8.1 Energy Calibration—Determine the energy calibration
Radioactivity Standard Source and Certified Radioactivity Standard
Source.
(channel number versus gamma-ray energy) of the detector
system at a fixed gain by determining the channel numbers
CALIBRATION AND USAGE OF GERMANIUM
corresponding to full energy peak centroids from gamma rays
DETECTORS
emittedoverthefullenergyrangeofinterestfrommultipeaked
4. Scope or multinuclide radioactivity
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E 181–98 Designation: E181 – 10
Standard Test Methods for
1
Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E181; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These methods cover general procedures for the calibration of radiation detectors and the analysis of radionuclides. For
each individual radionuclide, one or more of these methods may apply.
1.2 These methods are concerned only with specific radionuclide measurements. The chemical and physical properties of the
radionuclides are not within the scope of this standard.
1.3 The measurement standards appear in the following order:
Sections
Spectroscopy Methods:
Calibration and Usage of Germa-
nium Detectors 3-12
Calibration and Usage of Scintillation
Detector Systems: 13-20
Calibration and Usage of Scintillation
Detectors for Simple Spectra 16
Calibration and Usage of Scintillation
Detectors for Complex Spectra 17
Counting Methods:
Beta Particle Counting 25-26
Aluminum Absorption Curve 27-31
Alpha Particle Counting 32-39
Liquid Scintillation Counting 40-48
1.4
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Document
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
SPECTROSCOPY METHODS
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 certifiedradioactivitystandardsource—acalibratedradioactivesource,withstatedaccuracy,whosecalibrationiscertified
3
by the source supplier as traceable to the National Radioactivity Measurements System (1).
3.1.2 check source—a radioactivity source, not necessarily calibrated, that is used to confirm the continuing satisfactory
operation of an instrument.
3.1.3 FWHM—(full width at half maximum) the full width of a gamma-ray peak distribution measured at half the maximum
ordinate above the continuum.
3.1.4 national radioactivity standard source—a calibrated radioactive source prepared and distributed as a standard reference
1
These methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-10 E10 on Nuclear Technology and Applications .
{1
Current edition approved June 10, 1998. Published January 1999. Originally published as E 181–61T. Last previous edition E 181–93 .
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E181–98(2003). DOI:
10.1520/E0181-10.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 12.02.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of these methods.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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E181 – 10
material by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
3.1.5 resolution, gamma ray—themeasuredFWHM,afterbackgroundsubtraction,ofagamma-raypeakdistribution,expressed
in units of energy.
3.2 Abbreviations:Abbreviations:
3.2.1 MCA—Multichannel Analyzer.
3.2.2 SCA—Single Channel Analyzer.
3.2.3 ROI—Region-Of-Interest.
3.3 For other relevant terms, see Terminology E 170E170.
3.4 correlated photon summing—the simultaneous detection of two or more photons originating from a single nuclear
disintegration.
3.5 dead time—the time after a triggering pulse during which the system is unable to retrigger.
NOTE 1—The terms “standard source” and “radioactivity standard” are general terms used to refer to the sources and standards of National
Radioactivity Standard Source and Certified Radioactivity Standard Source.
CALIBRATION AND USAGE OF GERMANIUM DETECTORS
4. Scope
4.1 This standard establishes methods for calibration, usage, and performance testing of germanium detectors for the
measurementofgamma-rayemissionratesofradionuclid
...
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