title: Observations on the background spectra of four LaCl 3 Ce scintillation detectors.
abstract: Our laboratory has purchased four LaCl (3)(Ce) scintillation crystals over the course of the last year for evaluation as part of an environmental management research and development project. In addition to the expected content of naturally radioactive (138)La, we have found that all four of these detectors are contaminated to various degrees with alpha particle emitting nuclides that we have determined to be (227)Ac and its daughters. The impact of these radionuclides on the background spectra and, thus, on the detection sensitivity of these detectors is presented and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625 MS2114, Idaho Falls, ID 82415-2114, USA. john.hartwell@inl.gov
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hartwell
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gehrke
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D016477:Artifacts; D001417:Background Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007811:Lanthanum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012588:Scintillation Counting / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: C028521:lanthanum chloride; D007811:Lanthanum