Source Preparations for Alpha and Beta Measurements
Activity Acronym:
BOK-1
Authors:
Elis Holm
Abstract:
Regarding alpha particle emitters subject for environmental studies,
electrodeposition or co-precipitation as fluorides are the most common methods. For
electrodeposition stainless steel is generally used as cathode material but also other
metals such as Ni, Ag, and Cu showed promising results. The use of other anode
material than platinum, such as graphite should be investigated. For other purposes
such as optimal resolution other more sophisticated methods are used but often
resulting in poorer recovery.
For beta particle emitters the type of detection system will decide the source
preparation. Similar methods as for alpha particle emitters, electrodeposition or
precipitation techniques can be used. Due to the continuous energy distribution of
the beta pulse height distribution a high resolution is not required. Thicker sources
from the precipitates or a stable isotopic carrier can be accepted but correction for
absorption in the source must be done.