Gamma-ray Spectroscopy

Relations:

In order to register for the course 17NAA, the student must have received credit for the course 17SPEK in a previous semester.

Course guarantor:

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Nuclear Reactors

Synopsis:

The aim of the course is to get students familiar with the topics of nuclear gamma spectrometry. Students will acquire detailed knowledge on the nature of gamma radiation, its interaction with matter and accompanying effects, the effects of detector response, detector characteristics and nuclear data, and tools useful for gamma spectroscopy. In the practical part of the course, students will be made familiar with the gamma-ray measurements and gamma spectrometers, especially with precise semiconductor detectors, principles of calibration and operation of gamma-ray spectrometer, and with character and effects affecting the gamma-ray spectrum creation. They will get the practical experience with HPGe detectors and experimental activities at the Training reactor VR-1, and focused on application in nuclear analytical methods and neutron activation analysis.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

1.Introductory lecture to gamma-ray spectroscopy (1 lecture)

2.Nuclear gamma spectroscopy, primary interactions (2 lectures)

3.Secondary effects (2 lectures)

4.Quantities and nuclear database for gamma spectroscopy (1 lecture)

5.Detectors for gamma spectrometry (2 lectures)

6.Calibration of gamma-ray spectrometer (2 lectures)

7.Systems of gamma-ray detectors, applications of gamma spectroscopy (1,5 lectures)

8.Spectrometry of other types of radioactive ray (1,5 lecture)

Syllabus of tutorials:

1.Calculations (5 exercises): Radioactivity, compton edge, single escape and double escape peaks, energy resolution of detector, gamma-ray attenuation, dead time of detection system, activity, half-life period.

2.Experiment Energy calibration of gamma spectrometer (4 hours)

3.Experiment Analysis of gamma-ray spectrum of natural background (4 hours)

4.Experiment Calibration of absolute detection efficiency (4 hours)

5.Experiment Experimental determination of gamma-ray intensity, verification of half-life (4 hours)

Study Objective:

Study materials:

Key references:

[1]Tsoulfanidis N., Landsberger S.: Measurement and Detection of Radiation, 4th edition, CRC Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1482215496

[2]Greenberg R. R., Bode P., De Nadai Fernandes E. A.: Neutron Activation Analysis: A Primary Method of Measurement, Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 2011

[3]Knoll G. F.: Radiation Detection and Measurement. 4th ed., New York: Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2012, 860 s. ISBN 978-1-118-02691-5

Recommended references:

[4]Alfassi, Z.B.: Activation Analysis, CRC Press,Inc., Florida, 1990, ISBN 08493-4583-9

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Jaderné inženýrství - Jaderné reaktory (compulsory elective course)