Nigeria research reactor-1 : Vertical detector efficiency calibration using conventional and semi-empirical approach for large samples NAA implementation

Authors

  • Umar Aliyu Abubakar Generic SPS, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Khaidzir Hamzah Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
  • Muneer Aziz Mohammed Saleh Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
  • Sibkrishna Ghoshal Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
  • Muhammad Muhammad Rawi Pusat Teknologi Reaktor Kuala Lumpur
  • Sadiq Umar Ahmadu Bello Universiti Zaria
  • Jonah Sunday Adesoloye Ahmadu Bello Universiti Zaria
  • Jatau Bashir Danladi Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v15n2.1018

Keywords:

NIRR-1, HPGe detector, efficiency calibration, conventional approach, semi-empirical approach, LSNAA.

Abstract

Detector efficiency calibration is mandatory for accurate measurement of induced activity in irradiated samples and for safe operation of the reactor with minimal uncertainty. This paper reported the efficiency calibration of vertically dIpstick High Purity Germanium detector, installed at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for the purpose of large sample Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) using Nigeria research reactor-1 (NIRR-1). The performance of the detector was evaluated for the radioisotope activity measurements during the reactor operation for large samples neutron activation analysis. The detector performance in terms of radioisotopes detection ability was inspected using the standard conventional and semi-empirical approaches. The full energy peak efficiencies were determined at the corresponding energies for three different geometries (source to detector distance of 1, 5 and 10 cm). The semi-empirical approach produced better and precise results that logically rhymed with theory than the traditional approach. Besides that, a consistency in the nature of the graphs and values were evidenced. The determined efficiencies and their corresponding energies revealed encouraging outcome and ensured the successful NAA for large samples of different material compositions.

Author Biographies

Khaidzir Hamzah, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Department of Energy, Faculty of Chemical Engineering

Muneer Aziz Mohammed Saleh, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Department of Energy, Faculty of Chemical Engineering

Sibkrishna Ghoshal, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Department of physics, Faculty of science

Muhammad Muhammad Rawi, Pusat Teknologi Reaktor Kuala Lumpur

Agency Nuclear Malaysia

Sadiq Umar, Ahmadu Bello Universiti Zaria

Department of Physics, Faculty of Physical Sciences

Jonah Sunday Adesoloye, Ahmadu Bello Universiti Zaria

Centre for Energy Research and Training

Jatau Bashir Danladi, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Department of Energy, Faculty of Chemical Engineering

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Published

23-04-2019