Chemluminescence

[tmohaupt@wright.edu]

Hello all,

In regard to chemluminescence of oil samples during liquid 
scintillation counting, we observed that the output spectrum from 
these samples is different from tritium or any other radioactive 
substance.  On our Beckman counter, tritium produces a hump that 
extends 
to about channel # 400.  The chemluminescence from oil stained 
samples is more compact and stops about channel # 200.  The 
LUMEX value tends to be very high also.  The LUMEX is the 
manufacturer's method of correcting for non-radiation produced 
luminescence.  In our procedures, we cover this issue.  If we have 
very high counts that numerically look like tritium,  we recount the 
sample and observe the spectrum.  If its chemluminescence, the 
spectrum is compacted and the count rate decreases (typically to 
background) over time.

Tom Mohaupt, MS, CHP
Wright State University
Radiation Safety Officer

Voice:  (937) 775-2169
E-mail:  tmohaupt@wright.edu