Low budget gamma spectroscopy

Abstract

We describe gamma spectroscopy experiments with an NaI-detector for the student laboratory that can be carried out with moderate expense and without licensed radioactive sources. For calibration, thoriated welding rods and potassium cloride are used, both of which are freely available for purchase. In addition, lead shielding, a costly and hard to handle part of the equipment in radiation lab experiments, is not required. The students analyze the gamma radiation from bulk soil samples they collect themselves, making this a meaningful measurement and a radiation physics experiment accessible to everyone without the usual safety restrictions.