Published 1980 | Version v1
Journal article

Standardization of alpha-particle sources

Creators

  • 1. National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC

Description

The calibration of alpha-particle sources at the National Bureau of Standards began about 1950 with the measurement of 2π alpha-particle-emission rates using a hemispherical gas-flow proportional counter. Today activities are also determined using defined-geometry counters with scintillation detectors and 4πα-γ coincidence counters. As the measurement techniques have evolved, the overall uncertainty associated with the determination of the activity of an alpha-particle source has decreased by about an order of magnitude, from several percent to several tenths of one percent. The factors contributing to the overall uncertainty fall into two general categories: those associated with the detection system and those associated with the source. These factors are discussed, along with suggestions for minimizng the overall uncertainty

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.
Journal Issue
no.698
Series
Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Spec. Tech. Publ.
ISSN
0066-0558

Conference

Title
Conference of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Dates
9 - 14 Jul 1978.
Place
Johnson, VT, USA.

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
12626457
Subject category
S37: INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
ACCURACY; ALPHA SOURCES; CALIBRATION; EFFICIENCY; ENVIRONMENT; ERRORS; LIQUID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS; MEASURING METHODS; PARTICLE SIZE; STANDARDIZATION
Descriptors DEC
ION SOURCES; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; PARTICLE SOURCES; RADIATION DETECTORS; RADIATION SOURCES; SCINTILLATION COUNTERS; SIZE

Optional Information

Notes
Replaces CONF-780745.
Secondary number(s)
CONF-780719--.