STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS ON THE RESPONSE OF A HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPECTROMETER TO ALPHA RADIATION

Abstract. This paper describes studies and assessments of the main parameters of a high resolution multi-chamber alpha spectrometer that will be used in SALMROM, accredited laboratory in the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences of the IFIN-HH, for measurements of alpha radioactive concentrations in environmental samples. For the measurements there were used standard sources of 241 Am, 233 U, 244 Cm and of a mixture of radionuclides ( 239 Pu + 241 Am + 244 Cm). Topics covered include instrumentation, parameters, source characterization, measurements, analysis and discutions. Performances of the spectrometer based on eight ORTEC detectors were determined for all eight chambers and for all possible distances source-detector considering, also, the detector resolution and efficiencies repeatability for the energy lines of the alpha sources and the Minimum Detectable Activities