Alpha particle counting system at SANAEM. Preliminary measurements as a part of validation studies.

Alpha-particle counting at a defined solid angle (DSA) is one of the most accurate methods used in the primary activity standardization of alpha-particle emitting radionuclides. The important features of the technique are geometrically calculated efficiency and low background energy spectra. This paper describes measurement conditions of the DSA counter installed at Turkish Atomic Energy Authority - Sarayköy Nuclear Research and Training Center (TAEK-SANAEM) and source preparation apparatus.

Comparison of acid leaching and fusion techniques to determine uranium in soil samples by alpha spectrometry.

Dissolution of radionuclides of interest is an indispensable first step in the alpha spectrometric analysis of soil samples. In this study a uranium recovery method for the analysis of uranium isotopes in soil samples is presented. Two different soil sample dissolution techniques were used: digestion in open beaker and fusion.

Calibration and efficiency curve of SANAEM ionization chamber for activity measurements.

A commercially available Fidelis ionization chamber was calibrated and assessed in PTB with activity standard solutions. The long-term stability and linearity of the system was checked. Energy-dependent efficiency curves for photons and beta particles were determined, using an iterative method in Excel™, to enable calibration factors to be calculated for radionuclides which were not used in the calibration.

Evaluation of uncertainty components associated with alpha-particle spectrometric measurements of uranium isotopes in water.

Qualifications of uncertainties associated with the measurement of specific activity concentration of uranium radioisotope ((238)U) in water samples by alpha-particle spectrometry are presented. Possible sources of uncertainty are identified and quantified in the activity concentration measurements of (238)U isotope; the major source being the statistical counting uncertainty as expected. The combined relative standard uncertainty [Formula: see text] of the measurement was calculated as 1.

Evaluation of the uncertainty budget for 226Ra analysis in water samples.

An alpha spectrometric method for the rapid determination of 226Ra isotope in water samples is presented. The method is based on the co-precipitation of (Ba)(Ra)SO4 for source preparation. The parameters contributing to the uncertainty budget are investigated.