Gamma-Ray Wavelength Measurements of Gold 198, Iodine 131, Cobalt 60, and Tantalum 182 Using a Curved Crystal Focusing Spectrometer

Author: Brown, James Roy

Year: 1951

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: DuMond, Jesse William Monroe

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics; Mathematics

Abstract

A description of the two-meter curved crystal focusing spectrometer, including improvements in several of the component parts, is given. The systematic errors inherent in the measurements and the calibration necessary to determine them are discussed. The construction of a sensitive geiger counter for the detecting system was necessary and was achieved only after many failures. The over-all instrument sensitivity is low, requiring sources of the order of twenty to fifty millicuries. The gamma-ray spectra of four sources, Gold 198, Iodine 131, Cobalt 60, and Tantalum 182, were studied. In the case of Iodine and Tantalum the entire spectrum was not obtained because of the lack of sufficient source strength. The results for all these sources and the method by which they were obtained are given.

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