[en] A program was developed for the PDP-8/1 computer to control the punched paper tape supplied by the measuring instruments. Any departure from the program is detected by an optical reader which stops the tape and displays the error on an accumulator. This program which is suitable for large amounts of data punched on paper tape has been in use at the Beer-Sheva laboratories for detecting errors in the sample changing operation. (B.G.)

[en] The present report is intended to give descriptions of program functions and performances for a small computer used as multichannel analyzer; this has the advantage of flexibility and simple alteration of program parts for various experiments. To the common part of data acquisition and handling was added a calculation section which enables spectrum analysis; peaks are identified and their characteristics are printed, greatly simplifying the work of the analyst. Parameters for the detection efficiency curve are included in the program and thus absolute gamma-ray measurement can be performed on-line. The operation and use of the program are explained. (B.G.)

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[en] One source of background signals, which are non-radiation related, is the reader system and it includes dark current, external contaminants and electronic spikes. These factors can induce signals equivalent to several hundredths of mSv. Mostly, the effects are minimised by proper design of the TLD reader, but some effects are dependent on proper operation of the system. The other main group of background signals originate in the TL crystal and is due to tribothermoluminescence, dirt, chemical reactions and stimulation by visible or UV light. These factors can have a significant contribution, equivalent to over several mSv, depending on whether the crystal is bare or protected by PTFE. Working in clean environments, monitoring continuously the glow curve and performing glow curve deconvolution are suggested to minimise non-radiation induced spurious signals. (author)

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[en] In special cases were a radionuclide emits two photons in cascade, a sum-peak is created in the detector at energy which is the sum of the two single energies. In those cases, it is possible to use the Sum-Peak method in which the system calibration is simplified and parameters such as source geometry, source position relative to the detector and self-absorption can have no significant influence. The purpose of the present work was to check the range of the different parameters where the Sum-Peak method can be applied with good accuracy. The application of the method to determine the activity of I-125 in human thyroid is also presented. The measurements were performed with a Phoswich detector, which is part of a Whole Body Counter (WBC) system and with a standard 1mm. thick NaI(Tl) detector. For the following parameters range it is expected that the error of the activity determination, when using the Sum-Peak method, is up to 15% : activity up to 2000nCi, distance between the detector and the thyroid gland up to 7 cm, thyroid gland dimension up to 20cc . Using improved software that fits Gaussian functions to the spectrum can improve the range of the geometrical constraints and can reduce the error in the activity determination, when using the Sum-Peak method. However, when the coincidence rate is very low, the application of this method is limited because of the poor counting statistics in the coincidence peak. In those cases, the Personal Calibration factor can be used. Comparing the results obtained by using the Sum-Peak method on people to the results received when using the direct method (based on phantom calibration), we obtained a significant over estimation of the thyroid activity when using the direct method by a factor of 4 to 9, because this method can not compensate for the geometry differences between different persons and the calibration phantom

[en] Short communication

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