Prompt (n, γ)-spectrometry for the isotopic analysis of silicon crystals for the Avogadro project

Author

Röttger, Stefan ; Paul, Annette ; Keyser, Uwe

Author_Institution

Phys. Tech. Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, Germany

Volume

46

Issue

2

fYear

1997

fDate

4/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

560

Lastpage

562

Abstract

The aim of the Avogadro Project is to replace the kilogram artifact by a high-purity, perfect single crystal of natural silicon. Therefore, the isotopic composition and the impurities of Si single crystals have to be known to the highest possible accuracy. The only method to obtain all of this information without destruction of the massive samples is by prompt (n, γ)-spectrometry. This method involves the analysis of the prompt emitted γ rays according to their energy and intensity after thermal neutron capture. The prompt γ-ray energy ranges up to 12 MeV and is used to identify all nuclides, while the intensity of the prompt γ rays gives the abundances of the isotopes

Keywords

constants; data analysis; elemental semiconductors; gamma-ray spectra; gamma-ray spectroscopy; isotope detection; silicon; (n, γ)-spectrometry; 12 MeV; Avogadro project; Si; Si crystals; Si single crystals; impurities; isotopic analysis; isotopic composition; kilogram artifact; mass differences; nuclides; perfect single crystal; thermal neutron capture; Atomic measurements; Calibration; Crystals; Event detection; Gamma ray detection; Isotopes; Neutrons; Silicon; Stationary state; Uncertainty;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9456

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/19.571913

Filename

571913