Radiation Detectors
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
Gamma spectroscopy is a radiochemistry measurement method which
determines the energy and count rate of gamma rays emitted by
radioactive substances.
EO 2.8
DESCRIBE the operation of a gamma spectrometer to
include:
a.
Type of detector used
b.
Multichannel analyzer operation
Gamma spectroscopy is a radiochemistry measurement method that determines the energy and
count rate of gamma rays emitted by radioactive substances. Gamma spectroscopy is an
extremely important measurement. A detailed analysis of the gamma ray energy spectrum is used
to determine the identity and quantity of gamma emitters present in a material.
The equipment used in gamma spectroscopy includes a detector, a pulse sorter (multichannel
analyzer), and associated amplifiers and data readout devices. The detector is normally a sodium
iodide (NaI) scintillation counter. Figure 27 shows a block diagram of a gamma spectrometer.
Figure 27 Gamma Spectrometer Block Diagram
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