title: Ultra-low background measurements of decayed aerosol filters.
abstract: Aerosol samples collected on filter media were analyzed using HPGe detectors employing varying background-reduction techniques in order to experimentally evaluate the opportunity to apply ultra-low background measurement methods to samples collected, for instance, by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty International Monitoring System (IMS). In this way, realistic estimates of the impact of low-background methodology on the sensitivity obtained in systems such as the IMS were assessed. The current detectability requirement of stations in the IMS is 30 μBq/m3of air for140Ba, which would imply ~106fissions per daily sample. Importantly, this is for a fresh aerosol filter. One week of decay reduces the intrinsic background from radon daughters in the sample allowing much higher sensitivity measurement of relevant isotopes, including131I. An experiment was conducted in which decayed filter samples were measured at a variety of underground locations using Ultra-Low Background (ULB) gamma spectroscopy technology. The impacts of the decay and ULB are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), MS P8-01, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99352 USA.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aalseth
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica e Matematica, Università dell'Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreotti
authors.affiliation: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000 Monaco, Monaco.
authors.forename: Joan-Albert Sanchez
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cabeza
authors.affiliation: Verein für Kernverfahrenstechnikund Analytik Rossendorf e.V., Postfach 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Detlev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Degering
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica e Matematica, Università dell'Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.affiliation: EC-JRC Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
authors.forename: Raquel Gonzales
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: de Orduña
authors.affiliation: IRSN/DEI/STEME/Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory, Bât. 501, Bois des Rames, 91400 Orsay, France.
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gurriaran
authors.affiliation: EC-JRC Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hult
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), MS P8-01, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99352 USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keillor
authors.affiliation: Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, S.S.17/bis km 18+910, 67010 Assergi, AQ Italy.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laubenstein
authors.affiliation: CEA/DAM Ile-de-France, Bruyères-le-Châtel, 91297 Arpajon Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: le Petit
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Research and Development for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, PO Box MG-6, 077125 Magurele, Ilfov Romania.
authors.forename: Romul Mircea
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Margineanu
authors.affiliation: Radioactivity Specialists Ltd, 108 Victoria Street, PO Box 25-099, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), MS P8-01, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99352 USA.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miley
authors.affiliation: IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000 Monaco, Monaco.
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Osvath
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica e Matematica, Università dell'Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellicciari
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Roma Tre, Via della Vasca Navale, 84, 00146 Rome, Italy ; National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Roma Tre, Via della Vasca Navale, 84, 00146 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Wolfango
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Plastino
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, PO Box 103980, 69029 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hardy
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simgen
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, PO Box 103980, 69029 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: CTBTO/IMS Division, PO Box 1200, 1400 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Werzi
keywords: Aerosol; CTBT; IMS; Iodine; Particulate; Underground nuclear test