title: Low-background gamma-ray spectrometry for the international monitoring system.
abstract: PNNL has developed two low-background gamma-ray spectrometers in a new shallow underground laboratory, thereby significantly improving its ability to detect low levels of gamma-ray emitting fission or activation products in airborne particulate in samples from the IMS (International Monitoring System). The combination of cosmic veto panels, dry nitrogen gas to reduce radon and low background shielding results in a reduction of the background count rate by about a factor of 100 compared to detectors operating above ground at our laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States. Electronic address: larry.greenwood@pnnl.gov.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cantaloub
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Overman
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Forrester
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Glasgow
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Miley
keywords: Gamma-ray spectroscopy; IMS; Low background detectors