This paper describes the generation of 39Ar, via reactor irritation of potassium carbonate, followed by quantitative analysis (length-compensated proportional counting) to yield calibration standards that are approximately 50 and 3 times atmospheric background levels. Measurements were performed in Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s shallow underground counting laboratory studying the effect of gas density on beta-transport; these results are compared with simulation. The total expanded uncertainty of the specific activity for the ~50x 39Ar in P10 standard is 3.6% (k=2).
Revised: November 9, 2020 |
Published: August 1, 2017
Citation
Williams R.M., C.E. Aalseth, J.M. Brandenberger, A.R. Day, E.C. Finn, E.S. Fuller, and E.W. Hoppe, et al. 2017.Development of a Low-Level 39Ar Calibration Standard – Analysis by Absolute Gas Counting Measurements Augmented with Simulation.Applied Radiation and Isotopes 126.PNNL-SA-120659.doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.02.018