Measurement of absolute γ-ray emission probabilities in the decay of 227Ac in equilibrium with its progeny

Abstract

The emission probabilities of γ rays produced in the ²²⁷Ac decay series were determined by high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry of sources with standardised activity. The sources were prepared quantitatively on glass discs by drop deposition of a solution with ²²⁷Ac in radioactive equilibrium with its daughter nuclides. Their activity was measured by a primary standardisation technique based on alpha-particle counting at a defined low solid angle. Four laboratories performed γ-ray spectrometry and derived absolute γ-ray intensities. Mean values were calculated and compared with literature data and the currently recommended evaluated data. New values on certain γ-ray emission probabilities are proposed.

Keywords: (223)Ra; (227)Ac; (227)Th; Decay data; γ-ray intensities; γ-ray spectrometry.