Alpha Spectroscopy Sources
Radioactive Sources, Reference and Calibration Sources
Precision alpha spectroscopy sources designed for the calibration, performance verification and routine checking of solid-state alpha spectrometers.
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Alpha Spectroscopy Sources Description
Applications
Alpha spectrometry sources are intended for calibrating and checking solid state alpha spectrometers, for applications in environmental monitoring and research.
The advantages of these sources are:
Narrow line widths (typically less than 27 keV) – easy, accurate, calibration of spectrometer
Wipe test results comparable to sealed sources – low risk of contaminating equipment
Construction
The radionuclides are deposited onto a stainless steel disc, 25mm in diameter, 0.5mm thick (drawing: VZ-1679-001).The reagents used are ultra-pure, resulting in an essentially mass less deposit. This process minimizes line broadening and produces sources exhibiting line widths typically less than 27 keV full width half maximum (FWHM). Sources containing Np-237 have line widths typically 50keV FWHM, due to the low specific activity of Np-237. Wipe test results comparable with sealed sources are achieved for this manufacturing process. However, any material placed over the active deposit will degrade the spectrum, so it is not possible to construct a source that can be classified as a sealed source as defined in ISO2919.
Certification
Calibrated single nuclide sources are supplied with a DAkkS certificate stating alpha particle emission rate and activity. Triple nuclide sources are designed for energy calibration applications.
Uncertainties
The reported uncertainty is based on a standard uncertainty multiplied by a coverage factor k=2, providing a level of confidence of approximately 95%. The expanded uncertainty of the emission rate for a calibrated single nuclide source is =3 %.
Traceability
The sources are traceable to standards held by national laboratories such as the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, Germany), the National Physical Laboratory (NPL, UK), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA) the Laboratoire Primaire des Rayonnements Ionisants ( France), and many other national laboratories world-wide. Further details are given in the section General Technical Information.
Recommendations on source handling
To maintain the accuracy of measurements, these sources must be handled with care. Sources should be handled with tweezers to avoid leaving grease on the surface of the source, which would degrade the spectrum. The sources must not be cleaned with abrasive compounds such as metal polish, as this would remove the active deposit. The sources should be kept in their storage boxes when not in use.
Tolerances
The maximum deviation of the measured activity at the reference time from the nominal value is +/-30%.
Quality assurance
The sources are calibrated at Eckert & Ziegler Nuclitec GmbH’s DAkkS accredited measurement laboratory in Germany. The manufacturing facility operates a quality management system which has been independently audited and approved to ISO9001:2008.
Alpha spectrometry sources are intended for calibrating and checking solid state alpha spectrometers, for applications in environmental monitoring and research.
The advantages of these sources are:
Narrow line widths (typically less than 27 keV) – easy, accurate, calibration of spectrometer
Wipe test results comparable to sealed sources – low risk of contaminating equipment
Construction
The radionuclides are deposited onto a stainless steel disc, 25mm in diameter, 0.5mm thick (drawing: VZ-1679-001).The reagents used are ultra-pure, resulting in an essentially mass less deposit. This process minimizes line broadening and produces sources exhibiting line widths typically less than 27 keV full width half maximum (FWHM). Sources containing Np-237 have line widths typically 50keV FWHM, due to the low specific activity of Np-237. Wipe test results comparable with sealed sources are achieved for this manufacturing process. However, any material placed over the active deposit will degrade the spectrum, so it is not possible to construct a source that can be classified as a sealed source as defined in ISO2919.
Certification
Calibrated single nuclide sources are supplied with a DAkkS certificate stating alpha particle emission rate and activity. Triple nuclide sources are designed for energy calibration applications.
Uncertainties
The reported uncertainty is based on a standard uncertainty multiplied by a coverage factor k=2, providing a level of confidence of approximately 95%. The expanded uncertainty of the emission rate for a calibrated single nuclide source is =3 %.
Traceability
The sources are traceable to standards held by national laboratories such as the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, Germany), the National Physical Laboratory (NPL, UK), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA) the Laboratoire Primaire des Rayonnements Ionisants ( France), and many other national laboratories world-wide. Further details are given in the section General Technical Information.
Recommendations on source handling
To maintain the accuracy of measurements, these sources must be handled with care. Sources should be handled with tweezers to avoid leaving grease on the surface of the source, which would degrade the spectrum. The sources must not be cleaned with abrasive compounds such as metal polish, as this would remove the active deposit. The sources should be kept in their storage boxes when not in use.
Tolerances
The maximum deviation of the measured activity at the reference time from the nominal value is +/-30%.
Quality assurance
The sources are calibrated at Eckert & Ziegler Nuclitec GmbH’s DAkkS accredited measurement laboratory in Germany. The manufacturing facility operates a quality management system which has been independently audited and approved to ISO9001:2008.
Alpha Spectroscopy Sources Key Features
- Designed for calibration of solid-state alpha spectrometers.
- Suitable for environmental monitoring applications.
- Ideal for research and laboratory measurements.
- Provides narrow alpha energy peaks for accurate calibration.
- Supports energy calibration and efficiency verification.
- Manufactured for consistent source geometry.
- Stable activity distribution for repeatable measurements.
- High-quality sealed source construction.
Alpha Spectroscopy Sources Resources & Downloads
Alpha Spectroscopy Sources Document
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