Study of the alpha energies of Ra-226 with MCA
Article No: P2522315
An alpha-spectrometer, consisting of a silicon surface barrier layer detector, a preamplifier, a pulse height analyser and a recording device for registration of the spectra is calibrated by means of an open alpha-emitter of known alpha-energy (241Am). The energy spectrum of a radium source which is in equilibrium with its decay products, is recorded and evaluated. The alpha-energies found in this way are allocated to the corresponding nuclides of the radium decay series. Tasks The alpha-spectrum of the 226Ra is recorded, the settings of the pulse analyzer (amplification) and recorder (x and y input sensitivity) being selected so as to make best possible use of the recording width. The calibration spectrum of the open 241Am-emitter is recorded at the same settings. The alpha-energies corresponding to the individual peaks of the alpha spectrum of the radium are calculated and, on the assumption of a constant energy loss in the source covering, the alpha-active nuclides of the radium decay series corresponding to the individual peaks are determined on the basis of the values in the literature. Learning objectives Decay series Radioactive equilibrium Isotopic properties Decay energy Particle energy Potential well model of the atomic nucleus Tunnel effect Geiger-Nuttal law Semiconductor Barrier layer