Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of new and existing algorithms for the analysis of 2D radioxenon beta gamma spectra

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to compare radioxenon beta–gamma analysis algorithms using simulated spectra with experimentally measured background, where the ground truth of the signal is known. We believe that this is among the largest efforts to date in terms of the number of synthetic spectra generated and number of algorithms compared using identical spectra. We generate an estimate for the minimum detectable counts for each isotope using each algorithm. The paper also points out a conceptual model to put the various algorithms into a continuum. Our results show that existing algorithms can be improved and some newer algorithms can be better than the ones currently used.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Reeder PL, Bowyer TW, McIntyre JI, Pitts W (2001) Determination of 131mXe and 133mXe in the presence of 133gXe via combined beta-spectroscopy and delayed coincidence. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 248(3):617–622

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Axelsson A, Ringbom A (2014) On the calculation of activity concentrations and nuclide ratios from measurements of atmospheric radioactivity. Appl Radiat Isot 92:12–17. doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.05.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Reeder PL, Bowyer TW, McIntyre JI, Pitts W, Ringbom A, Johansson C (2004) Gain calibration of a β/γ coincidence spectrometer for automated radioxenon analysis. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res 521(2):586–599

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. McIntyre JI, Cooper M, Ely J, Haas D, Schrom B, Warren G (2013) Further developments of a robust absolute calibration method utilizing beta/gamma coincidence techniques. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 296(2):693–698

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ringbom A, Larson T, Axelsson A, Elmgren K, Johansson C (2003) SAUNA—a system for automatic sampling, processing, and analysis of radioactive xenon. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res 508(3):542–553. doi:10.1016/s0168-9002(03)01657-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cooper MW, McIntyre JI, Bowyer TW, Carman AJ, Hayes JC, Heimbigner TR, Hubbard CW, Lidey L, Litke KE, Morris SJ, Ripplinger MD, Suarez R, Thompson R (2007) Redesigned beta-gamma radioxenon detector. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res 579(1):426–430. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2007.04.092

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Biegalski KMF, Biegalski SR (2005) Deconvolution of three-dimensional beta-gamma coincidence spectra from xenon sampling and measurement units. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 263(1):259–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Biegalski KMF, Biegalski SR, Haas DA (2008) Performance evaluation of spectral deconvolution analysis tool (SDAT) software used for nuclear explosion radionuclide measurements. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 276(2):407–413. doi:10.1007/s10967-008-0519-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Biegalski S, Flory A, Haas D, Ely J, Cooper M (2013) SDAT implementation for the analysis of radioxenon beta-gamma coincidence spectra. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 296(1):471–476. doi:10.1007/s10967-012-2170-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Agostinelli S, Allison J, Amako K, Apostolakis J, Araujo H, Arce P, Asai M, Axen D, Banerjee S, Barrand G, Behner F, Bellagamba L, Boudreau J, Broglia L, Brunengo A, Burkhardt H, Chauvie S, Chuma J, Chytracek R, Cooperman G, Cosmo G, Degtyarenko P, Dell’Acqua A, Depaola G, Dietrich D, Enami R, Feliciello A, Ferguson C, Fesefeldt H, Folger G, Foppiano F, Forti A, Garelli S, Giani S, Giannitrapani R, Gibin D, Cadenas JJG, Gonzalez I, Abril GG, Greeniaus G, Greiner W, Grichine V, Grossheim A, Guatelli S, Gumplinger P, Hamatsu R, Hashimoto K, Hasui H, Heikkinen A, Howard A, Ivanchenko V, Johnson A, Jones FW, Kallenbach J, Kanaya N, Kawabata M, Kawabata Y, Kawaguti M, Kelner S, Kent P, Kimura A, Kodama T, Kokoulin R, Kossov M, Kurashige H, Lamanna E, Lampen T, Lara V, Lefebure V, Lei F, Liendl M, Lockman W, Longo F, Magni S, Maire M, Medernach E, Minamimoto K, de Freitas PM, Morita Y, Murakami K, Nagamatu M, Nartallo R, Nieminen P, Nishimura T, Ohtsubo K, Okamura M, O’Neale S, Oohata Y, Paech K, Perl J, Pfeiffer A, Pia MG, Ranjard F, Rybin A, Sadilov S, Di Salvo E, Santin G, Sasaki T, Savvas N, Sawada Y, Scherer S, Seil S, Sirotenko V, Smith D, Starkov N, Stoecker H, Sulkimo J, Takahata M, Tanaka S, Tcherniaev E, Tehrani ES, Tropeano M, Truscott P, Uno H, Urban L, Urban P, Verderi M, Walkden A, Wander W, Weber H, Wellisch JP, Wenaus T, Williams DC, Wright D, Yamada T, Yoshida H, Zschiesche D (2003) GEANT4-a simulation toolkit. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res 506(3):250–303. doi:10.1016/s0168-9002(03)01368-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. McIntyre J, Schrom B, Cooper M, Prinke A, Suckow T, Ringbom A, Warren G (2015) A program to generate simulated radioxenon beta–gamma data for concentration verification and validation and training exercises. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 307:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  12. Haas DA, Biegalski SR, Foltz Biegalski KM (2009) Radioxenon production through neutron irradiation of stable xenon gas. J Radioannal Nucl Chem 282(3):677–680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lowrey JD, Biegalski SR (2012) Comparison of least-squares vs. maximum likelihood estimation for standard spectrum technique of β–γ coincidence spectrum analysis. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res 270:116–119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Currie LA (1968) Limits for qualitative detection and quantitative determination—application to radiochemistry. Anal Chem 40(3):586–593. doi:10.1021/ac60259a007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kalinowski MB, Axelsson A, Bean M, Blanchard X, Bowyer TW, Brachet G, Hebel S, McIntyre JI, Peters J, Pistner C, Raith M, Ringbom A, Saey PRJ, Schlosser C, Stocki TJ, Taffary T, Ungar RK (2010) Discrimination of nuclear explosions against civilian sources based on atmospheric xenon isotopic activity ratios. Pure Appl Geophys 167(4–5):517–539. doi:10.1007/s00024-009-0032-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bowyer TW, Kephart R, Eslinger PW, Friese JI, Miley HS, Saey PRJ (2013) Maximum reasonable radioxenon releases from medical isotope production facilities and their effect on monitoring nuclear explosions. J Environ Radioact 115:192–200. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.07.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Bowyer T, Eslinger P, Cameron I, Friese J, Hayes J, Metz L, Miley H (2014) Potential impact of releases from a new Molybdenum-99 production facility on regional measurements of airborne xenon isotopes. J Environ Radioact 129:43–47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Saey PRJ (2009) The influence of radiopharmaceutical isotope production on the global radioxenon background. J Environ Radioact 100(5):396–406. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.01.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

PNNL is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by Battelle Memorial Institute under Contract DE-AC06-76RLO1830. The authors wish to acknowledge the funding support of the Office of Multilateral and Nuclear Affairs in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance of the U.S. Department of State and the Nuclear Arms Control Technology Program of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. This document is PNNL-SA-120191.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Detection and Nuclear Sciences Group, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA

    Nikhil Deshmukh, Amanda Prinke, Brian Miller & Justin McIntyre

Authors
  1. Nikhil Deshmukh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amanda Prinke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brian Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Justin McIntyre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nikhil Deshmukh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Deshmukh, N., Prinke, A., Miller, B. et al. Comparison of new and existing algorithms for the analysis of 2D radioxenon beta gamma spectra. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 311, 1849–1857 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5174-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5174-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation