Reference Data for Calibration

The data specifically needed for spectrometer cahbration purposes are gamma-ray (and X-ray) energies, the prob-abihty of emission of these radiahons and the half-life of the nuchde. It is not uncommon for it to be realized that the accepted value of an energy or half-hfe or, more often, a gamma emission probabUity which has been used for some time is in error. From time to time, there are re-evaluations of data to incorporate new values and to make judgments that are more informed on which of all available values should be taken into account. It is important, therefore, that the data used within a laboratory should be up to date. 

There are many compilations which hst such data and every laboratory has its favourite. It is important that reference data should have been validated in some way. Often, there is little to indicate the reliability of the various sources. In general, one should choose the most recent compilations and, in particular, one should be 

Practical Gamma-ray Spectrometry — 2nd Edition Gordon R. Gilmore 2008 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-470-86196-7 

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