Absolute L X-ray intensities in the decays of 230Th, 234U, 238Pu and 244Cm

The absolute L X-ray emission rates of 230Th, 234U, 238Pu and 244Cm have been measured. The rates were obtained by an alpha-particle gated photon spectrometry technique involving the use of a highly calibrated Ge(HP) detector in coincidence with a SiSB detector. The directional correlation between L X-rays and alpha-particles has been accounted for. The present results are compared with previous experimental values and theoretical estimates. Agreement with theoretical estimates is good, however few of the previous experimental values agree with the present work. Differences with previous work partly seem to lie with the detector calibration.