Radionuclide identification

The method selected to prepare a radionuclide for counting depends on the skills and preferences of the analyst, available detectors, and conditions associated with the radioactive analyte, accompanying radionuclides, and the sample matrix. All aspects have to be considered to obtain a measurement that meets reliability and sensitivity specifications for radionuclide identification and detection. In some cases, the analyst has many options in others, choice is restricted by circumstances such as small samples, low radionuclide concentration, half-life considerations, or unavailability of certain detector types. 

In general, the detectors are combined with a preamplifier, an amplifier and a multichannel analyser, in which the pulses are sorted according to their pulse heights. Frequently, the multichannel analyser is operated by a computer and a program for peak search, peak net area calculation, energy calibration and radionuclide identification. 

SHAMAN is an expert system developed for qualitative and quantitative radionuclide identification in gamma spectrometry. 

Nuclear physics as applied to radionuclide identification and measurement is introduced in Chapter 2 to refresh the reader s memory. Detailed information pertinent to the main radiation detectors routinely used in the radioanalytical chemistry counting room is given in Chapter 8. Chapter 9 discusses radionuclide identification by decay scheme and gives examples. 

Chemical separations were important contributors to early efforts for radionuclide identification and measurement when only gas ionization and solid scintillation detectors were available. Chemical separation identified the radionuclide by... 

Additional information necessary for radionuclide identification and analysis but not shown in Figs. 9.3-9.9 is given in Sections 9.3.2-9.3.7 it includes the fraction of conversion electrons and X rays in an internal transition and the beta-particle maximum energy. 

Radionuclide identification to explain puzzling radiation measurement results or respond to clients concerning a routinely submitted sample requires the same efforts. The main distinction is that usually the sample radionuclide content and level is more narrowly defined and the response can be relatively unhurried. 

Portable radionuclide Identification of the radionuclide Solid and liquid scintillation... 

Bq/kg) or (Bq/1) or equivalent Gamma spectrometer with Nal(Tl) detector Simple operation, high saisitivity Limited radionuclide identification for complex spectra ... 

Beta spectrometry Liquid scintillation counts Large-scale automatic measurements Method for low energy beta emitt Limited radionuclide identification capability Relatively complex sample preparation ... 

Type s) of assistance required aerial survey, radiation monitoring, radionuclide identification, source recovery, radiation safety assessment and advisory, medical support and/ or advisory, bioassay support and/or advisory, radiopathology support and/or advisory, biodosimety support and/or advisory, waste safety support and/or advisory, and other(s), which should be specified. 

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