Development of a high-pressure xenon ionization chamber gamma-ray spectrometer for field deployment in cone penetrometers

R. Palmer; G. Tepper

doi:10.1023/a:1010647118285

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

Volume/Issue:: Volume 248: Issue 2

Development of a high-pressure xenon ionization chamber gamma-ray spectrometer for field deployment in cone penetrometers

Authors:

R. Palmer

R. Palmer

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G. Tepper

G. Tepper

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Pages:: 289–294

Online Publication Date:: 29 Oct 2004

Publication Date:: 17 May 2001

Article Category:: Research Article

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1010647118285

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Abstract

It is sometimes necessary to measure gamma-ray spectra under difficult circumstances such as those encountered during in situ characterization of radioactive soils. For some classes of soil, various measurement instruments can be inserted to depths of 100 feet or more using the cone penetrometer technique. The problems for gamma-ray spectroscopy in this application include size limitations, elevated and/or variable temperature environment, vibration and shock, and remote operation. Measurement of gamma-ray spectra under these conditions has been done using scintillation detectors such as NaI(Tl) or BGO. However, these instruments suffer from poor energy resolution (ca. 8-10%), temperature sensitivity and, in the case of NaI(Tl), activation by neutrons. Sentor Technologies, Inc., working under Department of Energy sponsorship and in conjunction with Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of California, San Diego, has developed a high-pressure xenon ionization chamber spectrometer that is specifically designed for use in cone penetrometers. Key features of the detector design include a 29 mm O.D. cylindrical geometry with concentric cathode, Frisch grid, and anode, and ultra-purified (ca. ppb) xenon pressurized to a density of 0.6 g·cm^-3. The results demonstrate the utility of high-pressure xenon ionization spectrometers for field use in cone penetrometers or similar applications including borehole logging.

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Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

Print ISSN:: 0236-5731

Online ISSN:: 1588-2780

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Journal of Radionalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Language	English
Size	A4
Year of Foundation	1968
Volumes per Year	1
Issues per Year	12
Founder	Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's Address	H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher	Akadémiai Kiadó Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's Address	H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245. CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible Publisher	Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN	0236-5731 (Print)
ISSN	1588-2780 (Online)