A practical approach for self-absorption correction in²¹⁰Pb gamma-spectrometric dating

Abstract

Self-absorption correction of low-energy (<100 keV) γ-radiation is a much debated subject when applying low-energy γ-rays for dating purposes. Some investigations have hitherto focused on the possibility of using either irradiating of the sample and subsequent absortiometry or introducing physical correction. In the present paper an automatic procedure was elaborated using the occurrences of other low-energy γ-lines in the sample, those of²³⁴Th. Theoretical considerations are described on the basis of the mass absorption coefficients as a function of energy and atomic number. These considerations are verified by experiments with rock forming oxides and carbonates mixed with Standard Reference Material. Finally, an example is given for the application of the self-absorption correction approach.