Alpha and gamma spectrometry laboratory

AlphaGammaLab

Laboratory connected with Swedish Radiation Safety Authority network of measurement capacity and expert support for national emergency preparedness against radiological and nuclear events.

4 stationary operating high-resolution gamma spectrometry units, ranging between 55 and 123% relative efficiency at 1332 keV for quantitative assay of gamma emitting radionuclides. 8 alpha spectrometry chambers chambers equipped with passivated implanted planar silicon (PIPS) detectors for the measurement of planar alpha source under vacuum. Whole-body counter facility in low-background locality for in-vivo gamma spectrometry and internal dose assessment.

• 1 fumehood dedicated for extraction of radionuclides (low levels of radioactivity) • 2 set-ups for preparation of alpha sources by electrodeposition • 1 Alpha spectrometer equipped with 8 PIPS detectors (active area 300 mm2) with a minimum depletion depth of 140 mm (Canberra) + 2056 (4 · 512) channel multichannel analyser, in vacuum chambers (EG&G Ortec Alpha Ensemble) • Data analysis with Maestro 6.08™ (EG&G Ortec) software • WBC set-up 1: two scanning 12.7 cm (Ø)×10.2 cm NaI(Tl) detectors positioned 30 cm above and 10 cm below the patient couch. Maximum capacity: 5 subjects per day; Minimum detectable activity (MDA) of 137Cs is about 40 Bq. • WBC set-up 2: A high-resolution HPGe-detector with 123% relative efficiency in a sitting geometry (Palmer geometry). Maximum capacity: 2-3 subjects per day, MDA for 137Cs=10 Bq. • WBC set-up 3: Stationary 12.7 cm (Ø)×10.2 cm NaI(Tl) detector for determination of radioactive iodine content in thyroid. • Gamma spectrometry detector 4: 1 p-type 55% HPGe Ortec detector: Shielded close geometry + semi-shielded distant (15 cm) geometry • Gamma spectrometry detector 5: 1 p-type 100% HPGe Ortec detector: Shielded close geometry • Gamma spectrometry detector 7: 1 p-type 100% HPGe Ortec detector: -,,- • Capacity: 1 measurement per day and detector with minimum detectable activity concentration of 137Cs in 50 ml range from 1 Bq/l per 24h measurement.

• High-resolution quantitative determination of whole-body burden of gamma emitting radionuclides for photon energies between 100 keV and above, within 10% (k=1) accuracy for adults in the range of 50 to 110 kg. • Low-resolution quantitative determination of whole-body burden of 137Cs, 134Cs, 60Co and 40K 10% (k=1) accuracy for children and adults in the range of 20 to 150 kg. • Preparation of low level alpha sources • Quantitative determination of alpha emitting radionuclide concentration (calibrated between 3000 – 7000 keV) • Activities detectable down to ca 10 mBq/kg • Quantitative determination of gamma emitting radionuclide concentration within 10% (k=2) accuracy for standard geometries 50, 200 and 1300 ml can be made. • Arbitrary geometries smaller than 100 ml in size can be determined within 20% (k=2) for gamma energies > 60 keV.

Parts of the described infrastructure (LUALphaGammaLab) are directly part of the Swedish National Emergency Preparedness, coordinated by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM). Some of the equipment also belongs to SSM, or is shared between MSF, Lund University and SSM. The manager (C. L. Rääf) of the LUALphaGammaLab, together with the dedicated contact person (Mattias Jönsson) make annual reports on the use of this part of the equipment to SSM. It is our policy that it is beneficial for the national emergency preparedness if the equipment and facilities are used as much as possible while not busy in mandatory exercises and trainings.
Regardless of ownership all equipment and facilities are subject to regular quality assurance program, with monthly or quarterly constancy checks on detector response and signal background. The laboratory annually participates in international proficiency tests where our results are benchmarked against often up to 50-100 other similar laboratories globally. The laboratory has long-term external assignments from e.g. European Spallation Source (ESS), regulated by a mutual framework agreement, which have priority access to LUALphaGammaLab.