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Anomalies in quantitative measurement of 40K in natural samples

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Abstract

Efficiency calibration by standard materials of known activity is usual protocol for γ-ray spectrometry. In general, 40K activity is measured from proper efficiency calibration covering broad energy range within which the 1460.83 keV photopeak falls. However, less frequently, the activity of 40K is reported by comparing the area under 1460.83 keV photopeak of natural sample to that of standard. The present study shows that determining the activity of 40K by efficiency calibration is highly dependent on the nature of fitting of calibration curve. The present paper also shows that comparator methods are more reliable for reporting 40K activity than efficiency calibration.

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Acknowledgements

NN is thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC) for providing the necessary fellowship. This work is part of DAE-SINP 12 5-year plan project TULIP (Trace, Ultratrace Analysis and Isotope Production).

Funding

Funding was provided by Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019, India

    Nabanita Naskar & Punarbasu Chaudhuri

  2. Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India

    Nabanita Naskar & Susanta Lahiri

  3. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India

    Susanta Lahiri

Authors
  1. Nabanita Naskar
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  2. Susanta Lahiri
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  3. Punarbasu Chaudhuri
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Correspondence to Susanta Lahiri.

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Naskar, N., Lahiri, S. & Chaudhuri, P. Anomalies in quantitative measurement of 40K in natural samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 316, 709–715 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-5777-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-5777-5

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