Measurements of ⁵⁵Fe activity in activated steel samples with GEMPix

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• 作者：A. Curioni^a ; ^b ; N. Dinar^a ; ^c ; F.P. La Torre^a ; J. Leidner^a ; ^d ; ^{johannes.leidner@cern.ch} ; F. Murtas^a ; ^e ; S. Puddu^a ; M. Silari^a
• 关键词：Radioactive waste ; X-Ray detectors ; Micropattern gaseous detectors ; Radiochemical analysis ; Timepix ; GEM
• 刊名：Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：21 March 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：849
• 期：Complete
• 页码：60-71
• 全文大小：1503 K
• 卷排序：849

文摘

In this paper we present a novel method, based on the recently developed GEMPix detector, to measure the 55Fe content in samples of metallic material activated during operation of CERN accelerators and experimental facilities. The GEMPix, a gas detector with highly pixelated read-out, has been obtained by coupling a triple Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) to a quad Timepix ASIC. Sample preparation, measurements performed on 45 samples and data analysis are described. The calibration factor (counts per second per unit specific activity) has been obtained via measurements of the 55Fe activity determined by radiochemical analysis of the same samples. Detection limit and sensitivity to the current Swiss exemption limit are calculated. Comparison with radiochemical analysis shows inconsistency for the sensitivity for only two samples, most likely due to underestimated uncertainties of the GEMPix analysis. An operative test phase of this technique is already planned at CERN.