Comparison of experimental and theoretical L X — ray emission probabilities of 241Am, 239Pu and 240Pu

doi:10.1016/0168-9002(94)91591-1

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Volume 353, Issues 1–3, 30 December 1994, Pages 10-15

https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-9002(94)91591-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Improvements in detection technology and spectra processing have resulted in higher accuracy in the determination of L X-ray emission probabilities in the 10–20 keV energy range. These values were independently measured for ²⁴¹Am, ²³⁹Pu and ²⁴⁰Pu, using two types of detectors (Si(Li) and HPGe). The experimental values of the total L X-ray emission probabilities are consistent with previously published data. Theoretical computations were carried out to complete the experimental results. This study validates most of the experimental results but also reveals some discrepancies.

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Emissions of L-X-rays by actinides are quite intense due to the large internal conversion coefficients of the gamma transitions. These emissions can be beneficial for the quantitative analysis of actinides by photon spectrometry, however the L X-rays emitted by radionuclides are generally not well known. Several studies explored the L-X-ray regions of actinides and measured total intensities of L-X-ray groups with large uncertainties up to 10%. However, they cannot resolve the individual L-X-ray lines due to the limited energy resolution (of the order of 200 eV (FWHM) at 25 keV) of the semiconductor detectors. The present work shows and discusses the measurement of individual L-X-ray emission intensities emitted by Cm-244 using an ultra-high-resolution spectrometer. The used spectrometer is a Metallic Magnetic Calorimeter (MMC) conceived for photon spectrometry below 100 keV with an energy resolution of 37 eV at 20 keV and a nearly constant efficiency over the L X-ray energy range. A high-resolution spectrum with a counting statistics of 4.6 $\times$ 10⁶ counts was obtained. The spectrum processing allowed to determine the individual emission intensities of 30 L-X-ray lines despite the narrow energy spacing.
Measurements of M and L X-ray energies and relative intensities emanating from 241Am source
2017, Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Citation Excerpt :
The revelations made in these two compilations are as follows: 241Am – Comments on evaluation of decay data by Chechev and Kuzmenko (2009), provides the experimental values of L X-ray line intensities in the decay of 241Am measured by various authors including Gehrke and Lokken (1971), Campbell and McNelles (1974), Cohen (1988) and Lépy et al. (1994, 2008). Based on these experimental results, the absolute Np LX-ray emission probabilities for only five transitions, i.e., Lℓ (0.844±0.009)%, Lα (13.02±0.10)%, Lη (0.384±0.020)%, Lβ (18.58±0.13)% and Lγ (4.83±0.03)%, have been recommended.
Energies and relative Intensities of 13 X-ray transitions in the M X-ray spectrum (per 100 disintegrations of ²⁴¹Am) viz. M₄N₁, Mξ_1,2, M₃N₁, Mα, Mβ, Mγ, M₂N₁, M₃O_4,5+M₃P₁, M₃Q₁, M₁N₃, M₂N₄+M₁N₃, M₂O₁ and M₁O_2,3 lines along with L₁-L₃ have been measured in addition to the 21 L X-ray lines viz. Lℓ, Lt, Ls, Lα₂, Lα₁, Lη, Lβ₆, Lβ_2,15, Lβ₄, Lβ_5,7, Lβ₁, Lβ₃, Lβ_9,10, Lγ₅, Lγ₁, Lγ_2,8, Lγ_3,6, Lγ_4,4, Lγ₁₃ including two new lines at 19.63 and 23.17 keV, have been measured. Since the M and L X-ray lines of ₉₃Np in the decay of ²⁴¹Am source are frequently used for energy and efficiency calibration of the Si(Li)/HpGe detectors, the present measurements have been undertaken with an objective to update the data since there are either no concrete data available (even in the Table of Radioactive Isotopes and Table of Radionuclides) or there exist inconsistencies/disparities in the data available in the earlier publications. We confirm the existence of L₁-L₃ X-ray transition (falling in the region of M X-ray energy range) and Lt, Ls and Lβ_9,10 (forbidden transitions as per selection rules). However, the origin of the two new L X-ray lines at 19.63 and 23.17 keV, both with intensities of 0.05±0.01%, could not be ascertained.
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In-gas-cell resonance laser ionization has been performed on long-lived isotopes of Pu at the IGISOL facility, Jyväskylä. This initiates a new programme of research towards high-resolution optical spectroscopy of heavy actinide elements which can be produced in sufficient quantities at research reactors and transported to facilities elsewhere. In this work a new gas cell has been constructed for fast extraction of laser-ionized elements. Samples of ^{238–240,242}Pu and ²⁴⁴Pu have been evaporated from Ta filaments, laser ionized, mass separated and delivered to the collinear laser spectroscopy station. Here we report on the performance of the gas cell through studies of the mass spectra obtained in helium and argon, before and after the radiofrequency quadrupole cooler-buncher. This provides valuable insight into the gas phase chemistry exhibited by Pu, which has been additionally supported by measurements of ion time profiles. The resulting monoatomic yields are sufficient for collinear laser spectroscopy. A gamma-ray spectroscopic analysis of the Pu samples shows a good agreement with the assay provided by the Mainz Nuclear Chemistry department.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 235
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Spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies are presented here for all nuclei with mass number A=235.
The highlight of this evaluation consists of the precise and comprehensive Coulomb excitation study (2012Wa35) on ²³⁵U, which in addition to the 7/2[743] ground state rotational band, extended the 1/2[631], 5/2[622], 5/2[752], and 3/2[631] rotational bands up to $J π = 53 / 2 +$ , $49 / 2 +$ , $441 / 2 -$ , and $43 / 2 +$ , respectively.
This evaluation presents a study (2010Hu02) of the ²³⁷Np(¹¹⁶Sn, ¹¹⁸Snγ) reaction where the ground state rotational band 5/2[642] was observed up to $J π = (53 / 2 +)$ .
It is worth for historical knowledge to mention the report on the “Discovery of isotopes of the transuranium elements with $93 \leq Z \leq 98$ ” (2013Fr02), where the information for elements Np, Pu, and Am with mass number A=235 is given. ²³⁵Cf has not been observed.
The alpha hindrance factors (HF) presented in this evaluation were calculated using values of the radius parameter (r₀) interpolated from those for even–even adjacent nuclei given by 1998Ak04.
Feasibility of in vivo measurement of 239Pu distribution in lungs using an imaging plate
2011, Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Citation Excerpt :
Therefore, the IP system can be used as a new device for the in vivo measurements of 239Pu. 239Pu emits alpha particles, weak gamma rays with energies ranging from 38.7 to 129 keV, and characteristic X-rays with energies ranging from 13.6 to 20.3 keV (Lepy et al., 1994; Firestone et al., 1996). The alpha particles in the lung do not contribute to the images because they are completely absorbed in the tissue between the lung and skin surfaces.
An in vivo measurement system using an imaging plate (IP) system was developed, which displayed images reflecting ²³⁹Pu distribution in the lung of a phantom. The detection limits of the IP system for 1–12 h exposures were between 1670 and 245 Bq at a 1.6 cm chest wall thickness. The detection limit of the IP system for a 2.5 h exposure was equal to that of a germanium detector for a 0.5 h measurement. The IP system could be used as a new device for in vivo measurement of ²³⁹Pu in the lung.
Decay data evaluation project (DDEP): Updated evaluations of the 233Th and 241Am decay characteristics
2010, Applied Radiation and Isotopes

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Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Abstract

References (14)

Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A

Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A

Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A

Atom. Data Nucl. Data Tables

X-Ray Spectrom.

L X-ray spectrometry with a Si(Li) detector in the energy region from 10 to 25 keV

Mesure de l'activité des émetteurs alpha par la méthode de l'angle solide défini

Cited by (24)

Determination of L-X-ray line emission intensities in the decay of Cm-244 with a metallic magnetic calorimeter

Measurements of M and L X-ray energies and relative intensities emanating from <sup>241</sup>Am source

In-gas-cell laser ionization studies of plutonium isotopes at IGISOL

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 235

Feasibility of in vivo measurement of <sup>239</sup>Pu distribution in lungs using an imaging plate

Decay data evaluation project (DDEP): Updated evaluations of the <sup>233</sup>Th and <sup>241</sup>Am decay characteristics