Gamma Spectroscopy Instruments Maintenance Management, Support, and Repair
How it works
Gamma spectroscopy involves the spectroscopy of radionuclides. Most radioactive sources produce gamma rays of various energies and intensities. When these emissions are collected and analyzed with a gamma spectroscopy system, a gamma energy spectrum is produced. Because the gamma spectrum is characteristic of the gamma-emitting nuclides contained in the source a detailed analysis of the spectrum is typically used to determine the identity and quantity of gamma emitters.
The equipment used in gamma spectroscopy includes an energy-sensitive radiation detector, a pulse sorter (i.e., multichannel analyzer), and associated amplifiers and data readout devices. The most common detectors include sodium iodide (NaI) scintillation counters and high-purity germanium detectors. Scintillation detectors use crystals that emit light when gamma rays interact with the atoms in the crystals. The intensity of the light produced is proportional to the energy deposited in the crystal by the gamma ray. The detectors are joined to photomultipliers that convert the light into electrons and then amplify the electrical signal provided by those electrons.
Common scintillators include thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)). Thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) has two principal advantages (1) it can be produced in large crystals, yielding good efficiency, and (2) it produces intense bursts of light compared to other spectroscopic scintillators. NaI(Tl) is also convenient to use, making it popular for field applications such as the identification of unknown materials for law enforcement purposes.
Limitations
Sodium iodide systems, as with all scintillator systems, are sensitive to changes in temperature. Changes in environmental temperature will cause peak shifts in the spectrum. Such shifts can be prevented by using spectrum stabilizers. Also because of the poor resolution of NaI-based detectors, they are not suitable for the identification of complicated mixtures of gamma ray-producing materials.
KD Analytical supports Gamma Spectroscopy Instruments
KD Analytical offers a suite of services for Gamma instruments (as well many other analytical instruments) that can save you money and time and help you to guarantee the readiness of your equipment and team.
Gamma Spectroscopy Instruments