Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT) (방사성폐기물학회지)

Korean Radioactive Waste Society (한국방사성폐기물학회)
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MDA Assessment of NaI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce), and CeBr3 Detectors for Freshly Deposited Radionuclides on the Soil

지표면 침적 방사성핵종에 대한 NaI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce) 및 CeBr3 검출기의 MDA 비교 평가

  • Received : 2019.05.02
  • Accepted : 2019.09.09
  • Published : 2019.09.30
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Abstract

The detection performances of the NaI(Tl), $LaBr_3$(Ce) and $CeBr_3$ scintillation detectors, which can be used to rapidly evaluate the major artificial radionuclides deposited on the soil surface in a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, were compared. Detection performance was assessed by calculating the minimum detectable activity (MDA). The detection efficiency of each detector for artificial radionuclides was semi-empirically determined using mathematical modelling and point-like sources having certified radioactivity. The background gamma-ray energy spectrum for MDA evaluation was obtained from relatively wide and flat grassland, and the MDA values of each detector for the major artificial radionuclides that could be released in nuclear accidents were calculated. As a result, the relative MDA values of each detector regarding surface deposition distribution at normal environmental radiation level were evaluated as high in the order of the NaI(Tl), $LaBr_3$(Ce), and $CeBr_3$ detectors. These results were compared based on each detector's intrinsic and measurement environment background, detection efficiency, and energy resolution for the gamma-ray energy region of the radionuclide of interest.

본 연구에서는 원자력 사고 또는 방사선 비상 시 지표면에 침적될 수 있는 감마선방출 핵종의 방사능을 신속하게 평가하기 위해 이용될 수 있는 NaI(Tl), $LaBr_3$(Ce) 및 $CeBr_3$ 섬광검출기의 성능을 비교 평가하였다. 검출성능은 최소검출가능방사능(MDA, Minimum Detectable Activity)을 통해 평가하였으며, 각 검출기의 지표면 침적 감마선방출 핵종에 대한 검출효율은 수학적 모델링과 점선원을 이용하여 반실험적으로 산출하였다. MDA 평가를 위한 백그라운드 감마선에너지스펙트럼은 비교적 넓고 평탄한 초지에서 측정되었으며, 원자력 사고 시 방출될 수 있는 주요 핵종에 대한 각 검출기의 MDA를 산출하였다. 그 결과 일반 환경방사능 준위에서 지표면 침적 감마핵종에 대한 각 검출기의 MDA 크기는 대체로"NaI(Tl)> $LaBr_3$(Ce)> $CeBr_3$"로 평가되었으며, 백그라운드 준위가 유사한 에너지 영역에서는 분해능이 가장 우수한 $LaBr_3$(Ce)에서 최소 값을 보였다. 이는 관심 핵종의 감마선에너지 영역에 대한 각 검출기의 자체 및 측정 환경 백그라운드, 측정 효율, 그리고 에너지 분해능 특성을 바탕으로 비교 분석되었다.

Keywords

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