Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited layers as alpha sources for alpha-particle spectrometry

Abstract

In various methods to determine alpha-emitting radionuclides in matrices, alpha-particle spectrometry with alpha-emitting sources prepared by the electrodeposition has been widely used. Although there are several good review papers on alphaparticle spectrometry and preparation of electrodeposited alpha-emitting sources, the mechanism of analysis procedure and characterizations of alpha-emitting sources have not been reported well. These untouched subjects by other review papers are very significant to improve the analysis procedure. This review focuses on the mechanism of the electrodeposition of alpha-emitting radionuclides on the stainless steel disc, factors for the preparation of electrodeposited alpha-emitting layers, and various characterization methods.

Determination of the Half-Life of Gadolinium-148

“…Successively, the number N of 148 Gd atoms was determined using multicollector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), whereas their activity A was measured by means of α-spectroscopy. In order to obtain high-resolution α-spectra, thin and homogeneous radioactive sources were prepared with the molecular plating techniquealso referred to as electrostatic deposition (Parker and Falk, 1962;Ko, 2020). Finally, by applying Equation (1), the half-life of 148 Gd was derived:…”

High precision half-life measurement of the extinct radio-lanthanide Dysprosium-154

“…The radioactivity of 154 Dy in the sample was measured by means of α-spectroscopy. Thin and homogeneous radioactive sources, necessary to obtain high-resolution α-spectra, were prepared using the molecular plating technique—also referred to as electrodeposition 33 , 34 . Following the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement – GUM recommendations 35 , 36 , a realistic and complete uncertainty budget for the measured t 1/2 is given as well.…”

High Precision Half‑Life Measurement of the Extinct Radio‑Lanthanide Dysprosium-154

“…The speci c activity of 154 Dy in the sample was measured by means of αspectroscopy. Thin and homogeneous radioactive sources, necessary to obtain high-resolution α-spectra, were prepared using the molecular plating technique -also referred to as electrodeposition [34,35]. Following the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement -GUM recommendations [36,37], a realistic and complete uncertainty budget for the measured t 1/2 is given as well.…”