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Phys427 Lab 4

Gamma spectrum analysis was performed using a NaI(Tl) detector to identify unknown features in spectra from various gamma ray sources. Spectra were obtained for Cs-137, Co-60, Co-57, Na-22, Cd-109, and Mn-54. Peaks were identified based on physical processes like internal conversion, backscattering, photoelectric effect, and annihilation. While most sources had identifiable peaks, Co-57 was difficult to analyze due to incorrect energy values possibly from a discriminant that was too high or issues with the channel to energy conversion.

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Jake Oxley
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44 views10 pages

Phys427 Lab 4

Gamma spectrum analysis was performed using a NaI(Tl) detector to identify unknown features in spectra from various gamma ray sources. Spectra were obtained for Cs-137, Co-60, Co-57, Na-22, Cd-109, and Mn-54. Peaks were identified based on physical processes like internal conversion, backscattering, photoelectric effect, and annihilation. While most sources had identifiable peaks, Co-57 was difficult to analyze due to incorrect energy values possibly from a discriminant that was too high or issues with the channel to energy conversion.

Uploaded by

Jake Oxley
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Gamma Spectrum Analysis

Jake Oxley
Objective
Using the same setup as the previous experiment, study the spectra obtained by a NaI(Tl)
gamma ray detector and identify all unknown features that make up each spectra.
Background
Many physical processes are responsible for the various features of the spectra observed
from different gamma ray sources
Pb X-Rays: These occur when the gamma ray interacts with the lead shielding. It creates
an x-ray that is absorbed by the crystal, and it appears at 75keV
Annihilation peaks: When the gamma source is also a positron emitter. The annihilated
positron will be absorbed in the crystal and will appear at 511keV
Backscatter peaks: The gamma source emits rays in both directions, so 180 degree
Compton interactions with the floor will also be detected. The maximum energy for backscatter
gamma rays are 255keV.
Iodine x-ray escape peak: When lower energy gamma rays interact with the NaI(Tl)
crystal, specifically the iodine atoms, a 28keV x-ray is formed and can escape without any
further interactions. This leads to the detector recognizing gamma rays with energies that are
28keV lower than what would be expected. This only occurs for peaks around 100-200keV
Sum peaks: When two different gamma rays are emitted in cascade, sometimes the
detector indicates a peak at the sum of the two energies. This is a sum peak
Internal Conversion: When a nucleus de-excites due to internal conversion, and x-ray
with energy 32keV is produced and absorbed by the detector crystal.
Experimental Procedures
Same as experiment 3, this time taking data for 300 seconds and using the ROI tool to
highlight any peak that appeared. An especially low discriminator was used to ensure that all
significant artifacts are accounted for.
Unlike in experiment 3, channel number was converted to keV directly in the
multichannel analyzer. This was done by selecting gain settings, then taking spectra and
recording the channel numbers that correspond to the peaks of gamma sources with known
energies. The channel numbers and energy values are then inputted into the program, and the
conversion is made automatically.
Data & Analysis
Cs-137:
Name Cs-137
Coarse gain 16
Fine gain 1.8
Energy (keV) Net Counts
33 95992
78 8178
193 6938
414 7880
663 150349

The most obvious peaks are the 33keV peak, which is a result of internal conversion, and
the 663keV peak which is the total absorption peak. The 78keV peak could be a Pb x-ray peak,
the 193keV is likely a backscatter peak, and the 414keV peak is at the edge of a Compton valley.
Co-60:
Name Co-60
Coarse gain 8
Fine gain 1.8
Energy (keV)
Net Counts
88 8602
241 16490
890 16473
1175 72233
1332 69340

As seen before, Co-60 has twin absorption peaks at 1175keV and 1332keV. As for the
other peaks, 88keV could be a Pb x-ray peak, 241 is a backscatter peak, and the 890keV is a
Compton edge.
Co-57:
Name Co-57
Coarse gain 64
Fine gain 1.8
Energy (keV)
Net Counts
0 81842
13 14565
35 1488
90 9993
123 473972

0 energy gamma rays are obviously impossible, so determining the sources of each peak
will be difficult here. Based on the high energy of the “zero” energy peak, it is likely an internal
conversion peak. The 13keV peak could be a backscatter peak, the 35keV peak could be due to
the Compton effect, the 90keV peak is likely due to iodine x-rays, and 123keV is the total
absorption peak.
Na-22:
Name Na-22
Coarse gain 8
Fine gain 1.8
Energy (keV)
Net Counts
79 20438
166 8505
288 15553
491 625010
984 6438
1279 86145

Na-22’s total absorption peak is at 1279keV here, so the huge peak at 491keV looks like
it must be an annihilation peak. The 79keV peaks looks like another lead x-ray peak, the 166keV
and 288keV are likely from the photoelectric effect, and 984keV could be a Compton edge.
Cd-109:
Name Cd-109
Coarse gain 32
Fine gain 1.8
Energy (keV)
Net Counts
22 947619
45 486
57 213
87 32385

Here we have the 87keV total absorption peak, a 57keV peak that could be from iodine x-
rays, a 45keV peak that could be a backscatter peak, and a 22keV peak likely from internal
conversion.
Mn-54:
Name Mn-54
Coarse gain 16
Fine gain 1.45
Energy (keV)
Net Counts
77 3421
205 1290
588 2435
834 75870
834keV is the principle gamma, 588keV is a Compton edge, 205keV is likely a
backscatter peak, and 77keV is a lead x-ray peak.
Conclusion
By knowing the various physical processes and where they occur in gamma ray spectra
for different sources, it is possible to identify unknown gamma sources from their spectra.
Although most of the sources had peaks that were easy to identify, cobalt-57 was difficult due to
incorrect energy values. This could have been due to a discriminant that was too high, or a
problem with the channel to energy conversion.
Appendix

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