Alpha Emitter Intrinsic Concentration in Copper required for Nuclear Spectrometry Application

Abstract

Low-level radioactivity content in copper are employed for bolometric thermal radiation sensors and astro-nuclear spectrometers. The required lowest achievable alpha emitters concentration, for treated and untreated surfaces, are measured by Double Sided Silicon Strip Detectors in a high vacuum chamber and provide information on its intrinsic NORM content. Results shows that copper alpha emitters content can be achieved in the range below 0.01 (counts. keV-¹·kg-¹·y-¹) adequate for specific nuclear spectrometry applications.