title: Long-term performances of the ⁹⁵ZR/⁹⁵Nb chronometer for nuclear events dating.
abstract: The present work reports on a long-term analysis of the performances of the (95)Zr/(95)Nb chronometer for dating a nuclear event. Taking benefit of a recent Profiency Test Exercise, a sample containing a standardized mixture of fission products has been measured repeatedly with a low background HPGe spectrometer during a period extending up to one year with the aim of assessing the accuracy of the various zero-time determinations. Evaluation of the uncertainties associated to these evaluations was performed using a Monte Carlo approach. Input parameters sensitivity has been investigated, especially the influence of the (95m)Nb decay branch. The (95)Zr/(95)Nb chronometer was found to be accurate for zero-time determination within one day and one week for a decay of 3 months and 10 months respectively. Sub-day uncertainties are achievable for a two months old sample whereas sub-week uncertainties are reached after a decay of six months. Limitations of the technique for dating a real event are investigated.
authors: CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France. Electronic address: Guilhem.DOUYSSET@cea.fr.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Douysset
authors: CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France.
authors: G Le
authors: GL
authors: Petit
authors: CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Gross
authors: CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Jutier
keywords: (95)Zr/(95)Nb chronometer; Bateman's equations; CTBO; GUM Supplement 1; Monte Carlo estimation of uncertainties; Nuclear test dating