Re[2]: beta reference....

["Riasp Medora" <riasp.medora@fernald.gov>]

The Rad. Health Handbook has a list of Average and Maximum Beta energies by 
Radionuclide.  The way to identify the nuclide is by using a beta scintillation 
detector. Bicron makes the detector.  I hope this helps

Riasp Medora

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: beta reference....
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at FE-INTERNET
Date:    8/20/96 9:39 AM




 
>  It would be very difficult to use beta energies to identify
> sources because the spectrum is continuous and difficult to measure. Of
> course, you could choose between alternatives that have very different
> beta energies. Beta energies are available in Tables of Isotopes and in
> wall charts of nuclides. These are the maximum energy of the continuous
> spectrum.
> 
> Bernard L. Cohen
> Physics Dept.
> University of Pittsburgh
> Pittsburgh, PA 15260
> Tel: (412)624-9245
> Fax: (412)624-9163
> e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu
> 
> 
I agree that determining the beta energy is not straight forward.....though, It
can be done with a 
marginal degree of confidence.  When faced with identifying an unknown beta
emmitter for shipment 
purposes it is sometimes necessary when other methods are inconclusive.

Dave Brown, chp
NIST Reactor Health Physics
Gaithersburg, MD
browndr@micf.nist.gov
301-975-5810
...The above statements are my own and have not been reviewed or endorsed by my
employer....