First Experimental Characterization of Microwave Emission from Cosmic Ray Air Showers.

We report the first direct measurement of the overall characteristics of microwave radio emission from extensive air showers. Using a trigger provided by the KASCADE-Grande air shower array, the signals of the microwave antennas of the Cosmic-Ray Observation via Microwave Emission experiment have been read out and searched for signatures of radio emission by high-energy air showers in the GHz frequency range. Microwave signals have been detected for more than 30 showers with energies above 3×10^{16} eV. The observations presented in this Letter are consistent with a mainly forward-directed and polarized emission process in the GHz frequency range. The measurements show that microwave radiation offers a new means of studying air showers at E≥10^{17} eV.

Calibrating GESPECOR model of computing the full-energy peak efficiency of coaxial high-purity germanium detectors by Monte Carlo simulation.

In this work, a classical approach was used for calibrating the GESPECOR detector model for computing the full-energy peak efficiency of p-type coaxial HPGe detectors that is based on the use of linear least squares optimization. The key element of the work is the multiplicative model developed for approximating the values of the full-energy peak efficiency provided by GESPECOR code. It was linearized using the logarithmic transformation to allow an easy use of the linear least squares optimization. A procedure was also developed to estimate the optimal values of the parameters, describing the p-type coaxial HPGe detectors. Its application to a Canberra detector GC3018 showed that it is possible to determine accurate values of the full-energy peak efficiency computed by GESPECOR code using the optimized parameter values.

A benchmark for Monte Carlo simulations in gamma-ray spectrometry Part II: True coincidence summing correction factors.

The goal of this study is to provide a benchmark for the use of Monte Carlo simulation when applied to coincidence summing corrections. The examples are based on simple geometries: two types of germanium detectors and four kinds of sources, to mimic eight typical measurement conditions. The coincidence corrective factors are computed for four radionuclides. The exercise input files and calculation results with practical recommendations are made available for new users on a dedicated webpage.

Long term 7Be deposition in Romania.

This study is based on monthly 7Be deposition data at 29 of the stations of Romania's National Environmental Radioactivity Surveillance Network (NERSN), with different geographical and climatological conditions, extending over periods up to 17 years (1979-1995). The 7Be activity in each monthly sample from each station was determined using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry performed at the Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, Bucharest-Afumati. The annual dynamics of atmospheric deposition of 7Be at each NERSN station showed a strong seasonal trend, very similar to the precipitation regime, with the highest values being observed in spring/summer and the lowest in winter. But the annual 7Be deposition fluxes varied broadly from station to station and year to year, from a minimum of 164 Bq/m2/y (Bechet, 1989) to a maximum of 1388 Bq/m2/y (Baia Mare, 1988). This large space-time variability of deposition was mainly due to the variability of the precipitation regime. The analysis of experimental data confirms the strong correlation of 7Be deposition data with precipitation, air temperature and the number of sunspots. Wet and dry deposition data are presented and discussed for four stations where separate dry and wet 7Be deposition measurements were performed.

Consistency test of coincidence-summing calculation methods for extended sources.

An internal consistency test of the calculation of coincidence-summing correction factors FC for volume sources is presented. The test is based on exact equations relating the values of FC calculated for three ideal measurement configurations. The test is applied to a number of 33 sets of FC values sent by 21 teams. Most sets passed the test, but not the results obtained using the quasi-point source approximation; in the latter case the test qualitatively indicated the magnitude of the bias of FC.

An intercomparison of Monte Carlo codes used in gamma-ray spectrometry.

In an intercomparison exercise, the Monte Carlo codes most commonly used in gamma-ray spectrometry today were compared with each other in order to gauge the differences between them in terms of typical applications. No reference was made to experimental data; instead, the aim was to confront the codes with each other, as they were applied to the calculation of full-energy-peak and total efficiencies. Surprising differences between the results of different codes were revealed.

[Left paraduodenal hernia with particular evolution]. / Hernie paraduodenala stânga cu evolutie particulara.

Paraduodenal hernia is a rare situation, less than 400 cases being published in literature. This condition is difficult to explore, diagnose appear within an occlusive syndrome. The etiopathology involves perturbation of intestinal rotation during the intrauterine life, producing paraduodenal fossa, which generates conditions for internal hernias and occlusive situations. We present the case of a 36 years old woman with chronic epigastric pain, diagnosed as duodenal ulcer, later as acute pancreatitis and in the end as high occlusion syndrome. Open laparotomy was performed, uncovering a strangulated left paraduodenal hernia, with severe pathologic lesions of the intestinal loops. Kelotomy and pure-string suture of parietal defect was performed. Post-operative evolution has been difficult with hepatic failure with coagulopathy and diffuse intestinal hemorrhage, threatening the patient's life. Intensive care lead eventually to a favorable condition. The rarity of this disease, difficulty of diagnosis and the particular evolution were the reasons to present this rare case.

Determination of the neutron activation profile of core drill samples by gamma-ray spectrometry.

This paper provides guidance for determining the neutron activation profile of core drill samples taken from the biological shield of nuclear reactors using gamma spectrometry measurements. Thus, it provides guidance for selecting a model of the right form to fit data and using least squares methods for model fitting. The activity profiles of two core samples taken from the biological shield of a nuclear reactor were determined. The effective activation depth and the total activity of core samples along with their uncertainties were computed by Monte Carlo simulation.

Self-attenuation corrections for Pb-210 in gamma-ray spectrometry using well and coaxial HPGe detectors.

Semi-empirical methods for 210Pb self-attenuation corrections were applied to sediment samples in vial and cylindrical geometries, and were validated against Monte Carlo modelling. Full Monte Carlo modelling (GESPECOR code) of the Cutshall transmission method was successfully applied for the determination of mass attenuation coefficients and efficiency transfer factors for coaxial detectors, and compared with the values derived from the matrix chemical composition. Simplified approaches were recommended when dealing with large numbers of samples.

Uncertainty assessment in the free release measurement by gamma spectrometry of rotating waste drums.

The assessment of uncertainty in free release measurements by integral gamma scanning method is described and applied to the measurement of homogeneous and heterogeneous waste drums. It is based on the propagation of distributions using the Monte Carlo method. In addition, two techniques for the uncertainty reduction are also described. The first technique makes use of containers constructed from two concentric cylinders and the second technique is based on the measurement of a group of waste drums. It is proved that the uncertainty of clearance measurements can be reduced using both techniques.

Equivalence of computer codes for calculation of coincidence summing correction factors - Part II.

The aim of this study was to check for equivalence of computer codes that are capable of performing calculations of true coincidence summing (TCS) correction factors. All calculations were performed for a set of well-defined detector parameters, sample parameters and decay scheme data. The studied geometry was a point source of (133)Ba positioned directly on the detector window of a low-energy (n-type) detector. Good agreement was established between the TCS correction factors computed by the different codes.

Photon attenuation for samples in Marinelli beaker geometry: an analytical computation.

A simple but precise mathematical method is used to estimate self-attenuation corrections for Marinelli beaker samples; the method may be useful for environmental monitoring and complements experimental calibration data. Self-attenuation corrections for a given sample depend not only on the sample geometry and linear attenuation coefficient, but also on detector parameters and photon energy. In the present analytical computation, the dependence on detector parameters and photon energy is neglected. The resulting errors are smaller than 5%.

Transfer of the efficiency calibration of Germanium gamma-ray detectors using the GESPECOR software.

The GESPECOR software was extended to incorporate procedures for the computation of the efficiency transfer factor for cases of practical interest: (a) sources with identical geometry, but different matrices, (b) sources with similar (but not identical) geometry; and (c) transfer from a point source to a volume source. Fast and accurate algorithms. based on correlated sampling, were implemented for solving the first two cases. A procedure to take into account the imperfect charge collection in the detector was implemented.

Angular response of a HPGe detector to gamma-rays in in situ measurements.

The angular response of a HPGe detector used in in situ measurements was determined empirically as a function of gamma-ray energy at two source-detector geometries--the standard 1 m and the non-standard 0.1 m heights above ground. Values calculated by a Monte Carlo code were found to agree well with the experimental values. The code is thus labor-saving, because it can spare many measurements required for the empirical determination of the angular response in an unknown experimental configuration.

Efficiency calibration of high volume samples using the GESPECOR software.

In this paper the Monte Carlo simulation program GESPECOR is applied for the computation of the efficiency of an HPGe gamma-spectrometry system used for the measurement of high volume samples. The detector characterization required for Monte Carlo simulation is achieved by a trial and error procedure using the efficiency values measured with point sources placed in several positions. After detector characterization, the efficiency values appropriate for the assessment of 220l waste drums are computed and compared with experimental values.

Intercomparison of efficiency transfer software for gamma-ray spectrometry.

The EUROMET project 428 examines efficiency transfer results for Ge gamma-ray spectrometers when the efficiency is known for a reference point source geometry. For this, different methods are used, such as Monte Carlo simulation or semi-empirical computation. The exercise compares the application of these methods to the same selected experimental cases to determine the usage limitations versus the requested accuracy. For carefully examining these results and trying to derive information for improving the computation codes, this study was limited to a few simple cases. The first part concerns the simplest case of geometry transfer, i.e., using point sources for 3 source-to-detector distances: 2, 5 and 20 cm; the second part deals with transfer from point source geometry to cylindrical geometry with three different matrices. The general conclusion is that the deviations between the computed results and the measured efficiencies are mostly within 10%. The quality of the results is rather inhomogeneous and shows that these codes cannot be used directly for metrological purposes. However, most of them are operational for routine measurements when efficiency uncertainties of 5-10% can be sufficient.

Analysis of thorium and its progeny by gamma ray spectrometry and alpha track methods.

Samples originating from an EU sponsored intercomparison exercise were analysed by gamma ray spectrometry (a thorium solution sample, a zircon sand sample and a thorium ore sample). An alpha track method was also used to analyse the solution sample. The detection efficiency calibration for the gamma ray spectrometry measurements on the solid samples was established using an in-house standard of thorium nitrate. A GESPECOR Monte Carlo simulation program was utilised in the analysis of the solution sample. The in-house thorium nitrate standard was also used to prepare standards for the alpha track method. The relative differences between the 232Th activity concentration values determined in these intercomparison samples and values supplied by the NPL, UK, were found to be less than 5% when determined by the gamma ray spectrometry method and less than 8% when determined by the alpha track method.

Equivalence of computer codes for calculation of coincidence summing correction factors.

The aim of the study was to check for equivalence of computer codes that can perform calculations of true coincidence summing correction factors. All calculations were performed for a set of well-defined detector and sample parameters, without any reference to empirical data. For a p-type detector model the application of different codes resulted in satisfactory agreement in the calculated correction factors. For high-efficiency geometries in combination with an n-type detector and a radionuclide emitting abundant X-rays the results were scattered.

Intercomparison of methods for coincidence summing corrections in gamma-ray spectrometry--part II (volume sources).

The second part of an intercomparison of the coincidence summing correction methods is presented. This exercise concerned three volume sources, filled with liquid radioactive solution. The same experimental spectra, decay scheme and photon emission intensities were used by all the participants. The results were expressed as coincidence summing corrective factors for several energies of (152)Eu and (134)Cs, and different source-to-detector distances. They are presented and discussed.

A new model calculation of the peak efficiency for HPGe detectors used in assays of radioactive waste drums.

In this paper we present a new semi-empirical model calculation of the peak efficiency for unshielded HPGe detectors based on the virtual point detector and the attenuation factor concepts. The validity of the model calculation was checked by comparison with Monte Carlo efficiency values and experimental efficiencies determined for a HPGe detector type GEM 25P4 using a calibration drum. The discrepancy between experimental and calculated efficiencies is smaller than 10% in the energy range 122-1408 keV.