Akira Yunoki

Standardization of 18F using the 4π(β+γ) integral counting technique

Alpha 4pi(beta+gamma) integral counting technique using a 4pibeta-4pigamma detector configuration was adopted for the standardization of (18)F. In this technique, the beta-detector is composed of two thin plastic scintillators sandwiching the source, coupled with a slender photomultiplier tube. The beta-detector part with the source was inserted into a large well-type NaI(Tl) scintillation detector for gamma-ray detection, making a 4pibeta-4pigamma coincidence counting system. In this work, positron particles were detected with high efficiency in the beta-channel and annihilation quanta were also detected with high efficiency in the 4pigamma channel. The very small inefficiency of the 4pi(beta+gamma) integral counter for the beta-plus branch has been confirmed by EGS5 Monte Carlo simulation. The result using this technique agreed within the uncertainties with the result obtained by the conventional 4pibeta-gamma coincidence counting with the efficiency extrapolation technique using the same detector configuration and a conventional 4pibeta-gamma coincidence counter.

Monte Carlo simulation of the standardization of 22Na using scintillation detector arrays.

In order to calibrate PET devices by a sealed point source, we contrived an absolute activity measurement method for the sealed point source using scintillation detector arrays. This new method was verified by EGS5 Monte Carlo simulation.

International comparison CCRI(II)-S7 on the analysis of uncertainty budgets for 4πβγ coincidence counting

Detailed uncertainty reporting is imperative for proficiency tests and comparison exercises because uncertainties need to be comparable and trusted by all the participants. Even though participants do their best to follow the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, ambiguities and divergences about uncertainty evaluation remain. Consequently, to analyze the situation, the CCRI (II) Uncertainties Working Group proposed a comparison exercise (CCRI(II)-S7) about the uncertainty evaluation of a relatively simple primary activity measurement: the standardization of a 60Co source by coincidence counting. To be able to understand how various NMIs calculate coincidence counting uncertainties, our study focused on two of the dominant uncertainty components commonly quoted for 4πβ-γ coincidence counting in the International Reference System (SIR) submissions and Key Comparison exercises: efficiency-extrapolation and weighing. Participants from twelve different laboratories were sent the same set of measurement data from the analysis of a 60Co solution standardized at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Our study demonstrated the extent of the different interpretations of the uncertainty components. Some factors causing large discrepancies were isolated and are discussed. Further studies of other techniques using a similar approach would be beneficial for the metrology community. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Observation of β-ray spectra after penetrating absorbing materials

beta-Ray spectra after penetrating absorbing materials of various thicknesses were observed by the use of a scintillation-type beta-ray spectrometer equipped with a flat NE-102 plastic scintillator of 5mm thickness for sources of (60)Co, (90)Sr-(90)Y, (137)Cs, (147)Pm and (204)Tl. Although the spectra changed rapidly with increasing absorber thickness, the average beta-ray energy was kept nearly constant for a wider range. These results are consistent in that the beta-ray absorption curve becomes quasi-linear in a semi-logarithmic plot. Spectra including scattered beta-rays from several materials placed behind the source were also measured for (137)Cs and (204)Tl. It may be concluded that mean energy measurements by the use of beta-ray spectrometer of this kind is useful for the identification of nuclides in radiation protection purposes even in worse source-conditions.

Characterization of brown rice as a certified reference material for Fukushima accident-related radioactivity measurements.

We developed a certified reference material of brown rice to measure radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The rice was planted in the spring of 2011, just after the Fukushima accident occurred, and it was harvested in the autumn of 2011. The certified value of radioactivity concentration in the rice was 33.6 Bq kg(-1) of Cs-134 and 51.8 Bq kg(-1) of Cs-137 on August 1, 2012. The reference material is being widely distributed by the National Metrology Institute of Japan. To determine the radioactivity and its uncertainties in the brown rice, we employed gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium detector and Monte Carlo simulation.

Gamma geometry dependency of efficiency functions in the 4πβ-γ coincidence measurements of complex decaying nuclides.

In order to clarify the γ-efficiency dependency of 4πβ-γ efficiency functions, a series of 4πβ-γ efficiency extrapolation measurements of a (134)Cs source were carried out for a wide variety of γ-geometries using a 4πβ(PS)-4πγ detector configuration. As the source is situated in the plastic scintillator (PS) β-detector, the γ-efficiency of the system can be readily changed by extracting the β-detector from the well-hole in a series of stages. For data acquisition and analyses, a list-mode two-parameter data acquisition system was employed. The forms of the extrapolation curves were monitored with decreasing γ-geometry, eventually exhibiting a similar behavior to those obtained in a usual 4πβ-γ coincidence counting system. The experimental results and considerations suggested that the γ-geometry dependency of the efficiency functions were due to summing effects in the γ-channel, and some qualitative remarks on the form of the extrapolation functions are given.

Estimation of immediate fallout after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant by using HPGe detector and EGS5 code

After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, we managed to carry out emergency measurements of the radioactive fallout. The included nuclides were identified via gamma-ray spectrometry using an HPGe detector. Quantifications of each radionuclide in the fallout were determined based on the efficiency calibrations and relevant corrections. The collected samples had a variety of shapes, densities, and compositions. EGS5 Monte Carlo code was used for the flexible estimation of these parameters. The measurement results show the temporal changes in the fallout quantity about a month after the accident.

A simple and versatile data acquisition system for software coincidence and pulse-height discrimination in 4πβ–γ coincidence experiments

A simple but versatile data acquisition system for software coincidence experiments is described, in which any time stamping and live time controller are not provided. Signals from β- and γ-channels are fed to separately two fast ADCs (16 bits, 25 MHz clock maximum) via variable delay circuits and pulse-height stretchers, and also to pulse-height discriminators. The discriminating level was set to just above the electronic noise. Two ADCs were controlled with a common clock signal, and triggered simultaneously by the logic OR pulses from both discriminators. Paired digital signals for each sampling were sent to buffer memories connected to main PC with a FIFO (First-In, First-Out) pipe via USB. After data acquisition in list mode, various processing including pulse-height analyses was performed using MS-Excel (version 2007 and later). The usefulness of this system was demonstrated for 4πβ(PS)-4πγ coincidence measurements of (60)Co, (134)Cs and (152)Eu. Possibilities of other extended applications will be touched upon.

Activity measurement of 85Kr diluted by a large volume balloon technique.

The National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) participated in the CCRI(II) Key-comparison of (85)Kr activity measurement. The absolute internal gas-counting method was used, with a set of proportional counters of different length. The original (85)Kr gas was diluted by a factor of 2x10(5) in order to achieve the suitable activity concentration for the proportional counters. A new dilution method was introduced, based on a large-volume balloon and gravimetric determination of the dilution volume with small uncertainties.

Activity measurement of (68)Ge-(68)Ga by use of 4π(β(+)+γ) integral counting method.

A 4π(β(+)+γ) integral counting method using 4πβ-4πγ detector configuration composed of a large well type NaI(Tl) scintillation detector and stacked plastic scintillators positioned in the center of the well and coupled with a slender PMT was adopted for activity measurement of (68)Ge-(68)Ga. Several source preparation schemes were studied to reduce the activity loss due to volatility. The possible contribution of EC events were rejected with pulse-height discrimination. Owing to the high counting efficiencies in both channels and the multiplicity of photons and β-particles emitted, the 4π(β(+)+γ) integral counting system gives a count rate very nearly equal to the positron emission rate. The activity can be determined simply from this value divided by the positron emission branching ratio. The remaining overall inefficiency was evaluated by the EGS5 code.