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RESEARCH PRODUCT

First application of calorimetric low-temperature detectors in accelerator mass spectrometry

O. KiselevChristof VockenhuberPeter EgelhofPeter EgelhofAlexander BleileAlexander BleileS. KraftS. KraftAlfred PrillerA. KiselevaA. ShrivastavaA. ShrivastavaRobin GolserPeter SteierV. A. AndrianovV. A. AndrianovWalter KutscheraJ. MeierJ. Meier

subject

PhysicsSuperconductivityNuclear physicsNuclear and High Energy PhysicsIsotopeResolution (mass spectrometry)Neutron fluxDetectorSapphireNatural uraniumInstrumentationAccelerator mass spectrometry

description

Abstract For the first time, calorimetric low-temperature detectors were applied in accelerator mass spectrometry, a well-known method for determination of very small isotope ratios with high sensitivity. The aim of the experiment was to determine with high accuracy the isotope ratio of 236U/238U for several samples of natural uranium, 236U being known as a sensitive monitor for neutron flux. Measurements were performed at the VERA tandem accelerator at Vienna, Austria. The detectors consist of sapphire absorbers and superconducting transition edge thermometers operated at T≈ 1.5 K. The relative energy resolution obtained for 17.39 MeV 238U is ΔE/E=4–9×10−3, depending on the experimental conditions. This performance enabled to substantially reduce background from neighbouring isotopes and to increase the detection efficiency. Due to the high sensitivity achieved, a value of 236U/238U=6.5×10−12 could be obtained, representing the smallest 236U/238U ratio measured until now.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2004-03-01Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2003.11.221