0000000000021424
AUTHOR
Mikael Hult
Smallest KnownQValue of Any Nuclear Decay: The Rareβ−Decay ofIn115(9/2+)→Sn115(3/2+)
The ground-state-to-ground-state Q_{beta;{-}} value of ;{115}In was determined to 497.68(17) keV using a high-precision Penning trap facility at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. From this, a Q_{beta;{-}} value of 0.35(17) keV was obtained for the rare beta;{-} decay to the first excited state of ;{115}Sn at 497.334(22) keV. The partial half-life was determined to 4.1(6) x 10;{20} yr using ultra low-background gamma-ray spectrometry in an underground laboratory. Theoretical modeling of this 2nd-forbidden unique beta;{-} transition was also undertaken and resulted in Q_{beta;{-}} = 57_{-12};{+19} eV using the measured half-life. The discrepancy between theory and experiment could be attr…
Search for the radioactivity of 180mTa using an underground HPGe sandwich spectrometer
Abstract The radioactivity of 180m Ta has never been detected. The present attempt to detect it was carried out using a newly developed HPGe sandwich spectrometer installed 500 m water equivalent underground in the HADES laboratory. The sample consisted of 6 discs of tantalum of natural isotopic composition with a total mass of 1500 g and a total mass for 180 Ta of 180 mg. The sample was measured for 68 days and the resulting lower bound for the half-life of 180m Ta was 2.0×10 16 y, which is a factor of 2.8 higher than the previous highest value.
Neutron fluence spectrometry using disk activation
Abstract A simple and robust detector for spectrometry of environmental neutrons has been developed. The technique is based on neutron activation of a series of different metal disks followed by low-level gamma-ray spectrometry of the activated disks and subsequent neutron spectrum unfolding. The technique is similar to foil activation but here the applied neutron fluence rates are much lower than usually in the case of foil activation. The detector has been tested in quasi mono-energetic neutron fields with fluence rates in the order of 1000–10000 cm −2 s −1 , where the obtained spectra showed good agreement with spectra measured using a Bonner sphere spectrometer. The detector has also b…
Low-level gamma-ray spectrometry for analysing fusion plasma conditions
Abstract A new method, combining activation by neutrons and charged particles with ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry, aimed at obtaining a better understanding and more adequate measurements of MeV particle leaks in magnetic fusion devices was studied here. A total of 36 samples containing Ti, LiF, B 4 C and W were placed in a boron-nitride holder mounted on the ceiling of the JET Tokamak. The samples were activated by 63 pulses from a D– 3 He plasma and were later measured using underground gamma-ray spectrometry. The radionuclides 7 Be, 46 Sc, 54 Mn, 56 Co, 57 Co, 58 Co, 124 Sb, 181 Hf, 182 Ta, 181 W and 185 W were detected in several of the samples, with very low levels of activity …
Validation of a method for neutron dosimetry and spectrometry using neutron activation of metal discs
A technique for neutron dosimetry and spectrometry based on neutron activation of different metal discs has been studied. After exposure to a neutron field, the radionuclides produced in the discs are detected using low-level gamma-ray spectrometry and the neutron spectrum is obtained using a spectrum unfolding technique. In order to validate the method, irradiation was performed in a well-characterised (252)Cf neutron reference field. Furthermore, the detector was used to determine the neutron fluence rate and spectrum at a storage place for MOX nuclear fuel. The results of the two measurements are reported and discussed.