Alpha Spectrometry of Thick Samples for Environmental and Bioassay Monitoring

摘要

A projected future increase in nuclear energy options requires the development of new and improved methods for monitoring of radioactivity in the environment. Alpha spectrometry of thick samples offers, with certain limitations, rapid identification and quantification of a radioactivity in a variety of environmental and bioassay matrices. This method is particularly suitable for radiological emergency response. Detailed discussion is presented of novel algorithms for fitting of a-particle spectra for samples ranging from weightless to moderately thick. A successful test of the thick-sample a spectrometry method during the Empire09 Radiological Emergency Exercise is described, consisting of the identification of~(241) Am in a bioassay matrix.