Abstract A new ultra-low-background proportional counter was recently developed with an internal volume of 100 ml and has been characterized at pressures from 1-10 atmospheres with P-10 (90% Ar, 10% methane) gas. This design, along with a counting system providing event digitization and passive and active shielding, has been developed to complement a new shallow underground laboratory (30 meters water-equivalent). Backgrounds and low-level reference materials have been measured, and system sensitivity for Ar-37 has been calculated.
Revised: January 7, 2016 |
Published: November 1, 2013
Citation
Aalseth C.E., A.R. Day, E.S. Fuller, E.W. Hoppe, M.E. Keillor, B.D. LaFerriere, and E.K. Mace, et al. 2013.A New Shallow Underground Gas-Proportional Counting Lab - First Results and Ar-37 Sensitivity.Applied Radiation and Isotopes 81.PNNL-SA-89606.doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.050