title: Optimization of low-background alpha spectrometers for analysis of thick samples.
abstract: Results of alpha spectrometric measurements performed deep underground and above ground with and without active veto show that the underground measurement of thick samples is the most sensitive method due to significant reduction of the muon-induced background. In addition, the polonium diffusion requires for some samples an appropriate selection of an energy region in the registered spectrum. On the basis of computer simulations the best counting conditions are selected for a thick lead sample in order to optimize the detection limit.
authors.affiliation: M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Reymonta 4, PL-30-059 Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiaszek
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pelczar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wójcik
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zuzel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laubenstein
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000512:Alpha Particles; D016477:Artifacts; D011059:Polonium / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011059:Polonium
keywords: Alpha spectroscopy; Low-background measurements; Surface screening; Thick samples