188Os Low Excited Levels

The -ray spectra of ¹⁸⁸Re decay have been studied by using a compton-suppressed spectrometer and a three parameters --T list coincidence system. Six -rays at 557, 810, 1463, 1867, 1936 and 2022 keV and three levels at 1443, 1936 and 2022 keV are confirmed again. Eight new -rays at 309.60±0.04, 826.90±0.02, 979.29±0.08, 1086.13±0.03, 1103.7±0.4, 1828.2±0.1, 1842.5±0.2, 1982.5±0.2 keV have been identified, three new levels at 309.60, 1828.2 and 1982.5 keV are assigned. The ^–-decay branching ratio is deduced.     

Determination of sulphur in fly ash by instrumental proton activation analysis

A method for the determination of sulphur in fly ash by instrumental proton activation analysis using the³⁴S/p,n/^34mCl reaction was developed. The 2128.5 keV and 3305.0 keV -rays of^34mCl /t=32.0 min/ were measured on a Ge/Li/ -spectrometer, shielded with a lead absorber to attenuate low energy -rays. Irradiation and measuring conditions were optimized. The detection limit for instrumental analysis is 0.3 to 1 mg g^–1 and the standard deviation is cca. 4% for a typical sample.     

Distribution of137Cs,40K,238U and232Th in soils from Northern Venezuela

More than one hundred undisturbed soil samples from Northern Venezuela and the islands of Margarita and Los Roques have been analyzed for¹³⁷Cs,⁴⁰K,²³⁸U and²³²Th by -ray spectroscopy. The specimens were taken from between 5–10 cm below the earth's surface. Thus, they are valid not only for the¹³⁷Cs deposition studies but also for the estimation of the natural -ray dose from primordial radionuclides that form the terrestrial component. The concentration of⁴⁰K was directly determined from its 1461 keV -ray, while those of¹³⁷Cs,²³⁸U and²³²Th were performed using a -ray from one of their daughter radionuclides: the 661 keV -ray of^137mBa for¹³⁷Cs, the 1760 keV -ray of²¹⁴Bi for²³⁸U and the 2620 keV -ray of²⁰⁸Tl for²³²Th. Finally, the concentration values were compared with those of global estimates.     

Artifact (α, x) Reaction Gamma-Ray Peaks Reported as 241Am Decay Gamma-Rays; Comments to the Paper by Abdulrahman Abdul-Hadi, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., 231 (1998) 147

Review of a recent paper reporting the -ray energies and intensities associated with the decay of ²⁴¹Am has resulted in the conclusion that some of the rays were misidentified. The misidentified -rays are not associated with the decay of ²⁴¹Am, but rather are prompt -rays from alpha-induced reactions.     

Integral cross section of the99Tc(γ,γ′)99mTc reaction at 4 MeV

^99mTc production was studied with the aid of photoexcitation by a 4 MeV endpoint energy bremsstrahlung from the LINAC of the Institute of Isotopes, Budapest. The intensity of the -flux was monitored by disc-shaped natural indium plates, placed in front of and behind the small cylindrical aluminium holders containing TcO₂ samples in a powder form. Isomeric activities were measured through the 140 keV -line by a Ge spectrometer. The integral cross section at 4 MeV was found to be 63.3±7.1 bMeV, which can be considered reasonable compared to the corresponding value of 55.3 bMeV established for the¹¹⁵In (,)^115mIn reaction. We also attempted the photoexcitation of^99mTc by irradiation with -rays from a 1.5×10¹⁵ Bq⁶⁰Co source, but no isomeric activity could be observed. This places the first activation level between 1.33 and 4 MeV.     

Research for technique of preparing high-intensity241Am low-energy gamma-source

Systematically complicated technique used for preparing high-intensity (more than 8.0 GBq/cm²)²⁴¹Am -source by a new enamel technique is presented. High intensity²⁴¹Am -sources with activities ranging from 3.7 to 37 GBq have been made by this new technique. The activity and photon output have been measured. The results were compared with the data reported by the Radiochemical Centre Amersham in their specification. The photon output of²⁴¹Am -source produced by us meets the technical specification of²⁴¹Am -sources produced by Amersham. Moreover, the highest intensity can reach 1789 mCi/cm². The overall utilization ratio of²⁴¹Am activity (59.5 keV) is 31.2%.     

New weak γ-lines following the α-decay of249Cf

The -spectrum following the -decay of²⁴⁹Cf was reinvestigated using high resolution coaxial and planar HPGe detectors. Accurate energy and intensity values of 44 -rays were measured, among which 23 were reported for the first time.     

A practical approach for self-absorption correction in210Pb gamma-spectrometric dating

Self-absorption correction of low-energy (<100 keV) -radiation is a much debated subject when applying low-energy -rays for dating purposes. Some investigations have hitherto focused on the possibility of using either irradiating of the sample and subsequent absortiometry or introducing physical correction. In the present paper an automatic procedure was elaborated using the occurrences of other low-energy -lines in the sample, those of²³⁴Th. Theoretical considerations are described on the basis of the mass absorption coefficients as a function of energy and atomic number. These considerations are verified by experiments with rock forming oxides and carbonates mixed with Standard Reference Material. Finally, an example is given for the application of the self-absorption correction approach.     

Fast non-destructive determination of silicon in coal by means of /n,n′ γ/ and /n, γ/ processes

The possibilities were evaluated of nondestructive determination of silicon content in large-scale samples of coal /about 20–50 kg/, based on the spectrometry of prompt -radiation from processes /n, n /, E=1779 keV and /n, /, E=3539 keV and 4935 keV. The neutron sources were either²⁴¹Am–Be or²⁵²Cf located additionally in D₂O moderator. A Ge/Li/ detector was used for -radiation detection. In exposure times of up to 2 h, the detection limits of 1.3% and 0.9% and accuracies of silicon determination of 0.66% and 0.40% have been achieved in case of /n, / and /n, n / processes, respectively.     

The predictive accuracy for estimating infinite dilution activity coefficients by γ∞-based UNIFAC

The predictive accuracy for estimating infinite dilution activity coefficients by a modification of the UNIFAC method wherein the group interaction parameters were based on only data (referred to as -based UNIFAC) has been studied. Estimates and measured values were compared for six prototypical solutes in a series of homologous n-alkanes, l-alcohols and alkanenitrile solvents. Despite the fact that the interaction parameters were derived using only data, this approach still gave serious errors due to several inherent problems in the original UNIFAC model. Its performance is sometimes even poorer than that of the original UNIFAC method. For example for nitromethane in alcohols and p-dioxane in nitriles values predicted by the -based UNIFAC are essentially zero. The large errors for these systems are most likely due to inaccurate interaction parameters in the -based UNIFAC method.     

A new detection method of99Tc by nuclear excitation

A new nuclear excitation process,⁹⁹Tc (, )^99mTc reaction, was applied for the first time to radioactivation analysis of technetium. Bremsstrahlung irradiation of⁹⁹Tc samples gave the reaction product^99mTc which emits -ray measurable with ease by a semiconductor detector. The production rate of^99mTc per g⁹⁹Tc was linearly correlated with the flux of bremsstrahlung. The detection limit of⁹⁹Tc was estimated to be nanogram order (0.63 Bq⁹⁹Tc) under the optimum irradiation condition. Possible interference by¹⁰⁰Ru(, p)^99mTc reaction was also studied, which could be discriminated from the (, ) reaction by simultaneously occurring⁹⁸Ru (, p)⁹⁷Ru reaction.     

A new improved expression for gamma-ray detection efficiency of Ge(Li) detectors

In the present paper, a new improved expression for -ray detection efficiency of Ge(Li) detectors, ⁰ , is given. It is represented as a continuous function of x (viz. E ^–1) with a maximum and decreases very rapidly to a small positive value as -ray energy, E, drops to 40 keV or lower, but slowly as E rises to 1.7 MeV or higher. Since it can well represent the whole physical process of the -ray detection, this expression may be one of the simplest and most precise representations, for ⁰ at the present time.     

(α,3pxn) or (α,αpxn) reactions on natural dysprosium

The (EC, ⁺) decay of¹⁶⁸Hf, produced by the¹⁵⁶Gd (¹⁶O,4n) reaction, has been studied, with high efficiency HPGe coaxial detectors, using on-line measurements with the RACHEL setup. Off-line measurements were also carried out using catcher collection technique. Energies and intensities of 119 -lines are reported among these only two were known in the earlier study ofChu andReednick. The¹⁶⁸Lu level scheme built on the basis of single - and X-spectra and - coincidence measurements, allows the interpretation of 79 -transitions, between 38 excited states reported for the first time.     

Uranium and thorium determination in Brazilian coals by epithermal neutron activation analysis

An experimental technique has been developed to determine impurities in coal. Uranium was determined by counting the²³⁹Np 106.1 keV -ray with a LEPS detector and thorium by counting the²³³Pa 311.8 keV -ray with a Ge(Li) detector. Seventeen coal samples were analyzed with an average precision of 3% and a quantitative determination limit of 0.153 g/g for uranium and 0.078 g/g for thorium. The technique allows determinations of up to twenty elements besides U and Th and can be applied in routine analysis.     

Effect of cascade coincidences on the efficiency calibration of a gamma-X detector

The sensitivity on n-type gamma-X detectors for low-energy X- and -rays calls for coincidence corrections in the efficiency calibration that do not apply to the calibration of p-type detectors. Corrections were calculated for the effect of cascade coincidences between -rays, X-rays, annihilation radiation, and bremsstrahlung, for 15 radionuclides frequently used for efficiency calibration. Experimental results are presented for a -X detector with 37% relative efficiency at distances from 0.9 to 17.5 cm. After coincidence correction smooth efficiency curves were found for the energy range 12 to 2750 keV, even for the position closest to the detector.     

Solubility Study of Nimodipine Inclusion Complexation with α- and β-Cyclodextrin and some Substituted Cyclodextrins

The solubility of nimodipine was measured in aqueous solutions of the following cyclodextrins: -cyclodextrin (-CD), hydroxypropyl--CD (HP--CD), -cyclodextrin (-CD), random substituted methyl--CD (M--CD), three hydroxypropyl--CDs (HP--CD) with mutually different average degree of substitution, and hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD). From the determined linear solubility diagrams the values of the binding constant K₁₁ of the inclusion complexes of nimodipine with the respective CDs were evaluated. The -CDs efficiently solubilized sparingly soluble nimodipine, the highest value of K₁₁ was found for M--CD (1680 M^-1), followed by -CD (550 M^-1) and HP--CDs, where the higher degree of substitution lowered K₁₁. Only slight solubilization of nimodipine was observed in the solutions of the -CDs and HP--CD.     

A system for the determination of silicon in the human lung using neutrons from A 2MV Van de Graaff generator

Neutron activation analysis, using inelastic scattering, provides a quantitative, non-invasive technique of studying silica burdens and is potentially useful as a screening procedure for occupationally exposed workers. In this method, silicon is measured using the fast neutron inelastic scattering reaction²⁸Si(n,n )²⁸Si which emits 1779 keV -rays. The method requires a source of fast neutrons (> 2MeV). A 2MV Van de Graaff generator has been developed to produce a pulsed beam of 5.2 MeV neutrons. The pulsed beam has the advantage of improving measurement sensitivity by separating in Bone the inelastic scattering -rays from those due to thermal-neutron capture reactions. The incident neutron energy was chosen to maximise the silicon -ray count rate, while keeping the signal from the competing reaction³¹P(n,)²⁸Al negligible.     

Effect of ageing atmospheres on the changes in surface free energies of oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene films

The changes in the surface properties of oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene films during ageing in various atmospheres (water, dry nitrogen gas, and hexane) were studied from the viewpoint of the interaction of the surface functional groups formed on the films and the ageing media. The XPS (x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and the SSIMS (static secondary ion mass spectrometry) spectra indicated the formation of polar groups containing oxygen such as C=O on the film surface. The changes in the critical surface tension (_C) of the film with ageing time were largely affected by the ageing atmospheres: the _C value of the film aged in water increased, and those of the films aged in nitrogen gas and hexane decreased with an increase in ageing time. These different tendencies among the ageing media could be understood reasonably with examining the surface free energy ratios (the total energy, _S ^tot , the dispersion force component, _S ^d / _S ^tot , the polar component, _S ^p / _S ^tot , the hydrogen bonding component, _S ^h / _S ^tot ) of the films. The ageing in water of which _L is large gave the films with higher _S ^p / _S ^tot values, suggeting that the overturn and/or the orientation of the polar groups toward the water phase occurred so as to minimize the discrepancy of the surface free energy between the polymer surface and water. On the other hand, the ageing in nitrogen gas and hexane media of which _L are small gave the films with lower _S ^p / _S ^tot and _S ^h / _S ^tot values, suggesting the overturn and/or the orientation of the polar groups into the bulk polymer.     

Gamma-ray pulse height spectrum of241Am-Be source by ‘Li-BC501 (n-γ) spectrometer system

Neutrons from a source are moderated by means of hydrogenous materials such as polyethylene (PE) or water to reduce the energy of fast neutrons and to increase the fluence rate of moderated neutrons. The rise-time and -ray pulse height spectrum from a PE moderated²⁴¹Am-Be neutron-gamma (n-) mixed source were measured by using⁶Li-BC501 scintillation detector and pulse shape discriminator (PSD) system. The difference in rise-time between and neutron signals tumed out to be 18.5 ns for the⁶Li-BC501 (n-) spectrometer system. The figure of merit (FOM) for this separation was estimated to be 1.52, and this was compared with the published results. From this comparison, the⁶Li-BC501 system has much superior characteristics in (n-) separation to other detector systems. Two Compton edges at around 1.87 and 3.99 MeV which are produced by H(n,)D reaction and by the first excited state of¹²C^* from Be(, n)¹²C^* reaction were also investigated.     

Levels of221Fr fed by the225Ac α-decay

The -decay of²²⁵Ac to²²¹Fr excited states has been reinvestigated using high-resolution -spectroscopy for single and - coincidence measurements. Twenty nine²²¹Fr nuclear excited states were proposed; ten of which are newly observed.