title: A shallow underground laboratory for low-background radiation measurements and materials development.
abstract: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory recently commissioned a new shallow underground laboratory, located at a depth of approximately 30 meters-water-equivalent. This new addition to the small class of radiation measurement laboratories located at modest underground depths houses the latest generation of custom-made, high-efficiency, low-background gamma-ray spectrometers and gas proportional counters. This paper describes the unique capabilities present in the shallow underground laboratory; these include large-scale ultra-pure materials production and a suite of radiation detection systems. Reported data characterize the degree of background reduction achieved through a combination of underground location, graded shielding, and rejection of cosmic-ray events. We conclude by presenting measurement targets and future opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, USA.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Aalseth
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
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authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: L E
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authors.lastname: Fast
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authors.initials: ES
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authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Glasgow
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authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Greenwood
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authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Hoppe
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authors.lastname: Hyronimus
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authors.lastname: Keillor
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authors.lastname: Merriman
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authors.lastname: Myers
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authors.lastname: Overman
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authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Overman
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authors.lastname: Panisko
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authors.lastname: Seifert
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authors.initials: GA
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authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Runkle