Precision Wavelength Measurements of the Annihilation Radiation from Copper 64 and Gamma-Radiation Following Decay of Gold 198 and Tantalum 182

Author: Hoyt, Harry Charles

Year: 1952

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: DuMond, Jesse William Monroe

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics; Mathematics

DOI: 10.7907/DY6H-6607

Abstract

The geometry, kinematics, and operation of the curved crystal gamma-ray spectrometer are briefly described. The effect of a recently discovered systematic non-linearity is discussed in some detail. A new calibration of the instrument and the means taken to correct for the non-linearity are described. Error-contributing factors are analyzed, and their contributions to the final error are estimated. The three principal components of the observed line profile are discussed.

A new measurement of the annihilation radiation is reported. The relation of this measurement to the determination of the mass of the positron is discussed. Measurements of the wavelength of the 411 Kev gamma-ray line following decay of Au¹⁹⁸ are given. Wavelengths of sixteen gamma-ray lines following decay of Ta¹⁸² are tabulated. The formulation of an energy level scheme for its daughter W¹⁸² is discussed.

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