Use of Complex Ions in the Efficiency Tracing Method for the Standardization of Pure Beta-emitting Nuclides

Abstract

THE absolute standardization of pure β-emitters by 4πβ-counting involves errors due to uncertainties in self-absorption. This difficulty may be overcome by the use of the efficiency-tracing technique described by Campion et al.¹. The technique involves the inclusion of a suitable β-γ-emitting nuclide with the pure β-emitter in the deposited source and the use of β-γ-coincidence counting to determine the efficiency of detection of the betas arising from the β-γ or ‘tracer’ nuclide. Knowledge of the β-efficiency for the tracer in a series of sources may then be used to determine the absolute activity of the pure β-emitter.