Efficiency calibration and optimization of a liquid scintillation spectrometer for low level 55Fe and 63Ni measurements

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2023-11, Vol.212, p.111176, Article 111176
• Main Authors: García-León, J.L., García-León, M., Manjón, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2023.111176

An experimental study on the counting efficiency, background, and Lower Limit of Detection (LLD) of a liquid scintillation spectrometer was carried out for establishing a measurement technique suitable for low level activity measurements of 55Fe and 63Ni in environmental samples. The spectrometer's response, using two scintillators (PerkinElmer Optiphase Hisafe 3 and Meridian Prosafe HC+) and glass and plastic vials, was studied. Colour and chemical quenching effects were also investigated for both scintillators and vials. Finally, a spectrum integration window selection method able to reduce the LLD through a Figure of Merit (FOM) optimization, was tested. Efficiency and LLD curves were obtained for both scintillators and types of vials with this technique. •Study of the quenching effects for measurements of 55Fe and 63Ni.•New NPE-free commercial liquid scintillators can be competitive for the determination of low level 55Fe and 63Ni.•Glass vials produce a greater background than polyethylene vials in the determination of 55Fe and 63Ni.•An adequate choice of the summing window is capable of reducing the LLD notably.