Experimental method for introduction of corrections taking into account gamma-quanta self-absorption in a sample

When investigating photons which appear during nuclear reactions, it is often necessary to take into account the effect of self-absorption in samples, especially if it is necessary to use samples of relatively large sizes. The existing experimental method of determining γ-quanta self-absorption corrections, based on the introduction of radioactive nuclides into the sample investigated, requires, much effort and special equipment. Besides a considerable pollution of samples takes place, which is, of course, undesirable in the case of expensive rare earths. The experime--ntal method of determining photon self-absorption correction in samples by way of their activation in a betatron with the 50 MeV energy of a photon beam, is suggested. Photon self-absorption corrections are determined in the Sm2O2 and W samples. Photons from activated samples are registered by a Ge(Li) detector. The results of measuring self-absorption corrections which agree with those calculated with the accuracy of 20%, are presented. The advantage of the method is the simplicity of preparing radioactive nuclides, their even distribution over the whole sample volume with the minimum effort