Determining the ratio of 239Pu to 241Am in wounds by measuring the L gamma x-rays with a Si(Li) detector.
A Si(Li) planar detector provides sufficient photopeak resolution to resolve the 20.16-keV U L gamma x rays resulting from 239Pu decay and the 20.78-keV Np L gamma x rays resulting from 241Am decay. The energies and, therefore, the absorption coefficients of the two x rays are very similar; thus, the ratio of the peaks for a source embedded in tissue remains approximately the same for the two x rays up to at least 6 mm. Measurements of 239Pu-to-241Am ratios by this method in deep wounds agree with results obtained by radiochemical analysis of excised tissue.
Palmer
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Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352.
Rhoads
M C
MC
D000576:Americium / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008961:Models, Structural; D011005:Plutonium / Q000032:analysis*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
D011005:Plutonium; D000576:Americium