Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

The detection performances of the NaI(Tl), LaBr₃(Ce) and CeBr₃ scintillation detectors, which can be used to rapidly evaluate the major artificial radionuclides deposited on the soil surface in a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, were compared. Detection performance was assessed by calculating the minimum detectable activity (MDA). The detection efficiency of each detector for artificial radionuclides was semi-empirically determined using mathematical modelling and point-like sources having certified radioactivity. The background gamma-ray energy spectrum for MDA evaluation was obtained from relatively wide and flat grassland, and the MDA values of each detector for the major artificial radionuclides that could be released in nuclear accidents were calculated. As a result, the relative MDA values of each detector regarding surface deposition distribution at normal environmental radiation level were evaluated as high in the order of the NaI(Tl), LaBr₃(Ce), and CeBr₃ detectors. These results were compared based on each detector’s intrinsic and measurement environment background, detection efficiency, and energy resolution for the gamma-ray energy region of the radionuclide of interest.

Keywords

In-situ gamma-ray spectrometry, Scintillation detector, NaI(Tl), LaBr₃(Ce), CeBr₃, MDA