Horansky, R.
, Ullom, J.
, Beall, J.
, Hilton, G.
, Irwin, K.
, Vale, L.
, Dry, D.
, Lamont, S.
, Rudy, C.
and Rabin, M.
(2008),
Analysis of Nuclear Material by Alpha Spectroscopy with a Transition-Edge Microcalorimeter, Journal of Low Temperature Physics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=32776
(Accessed October 27, 2025)
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Analysis of Nuclear Material by Alpha Spectroscopy with a Transition-Edge Microcalorimeter
Published
Author(s)
, , , , , , Don Dry, Stephen Lamont, Clifford R. Rudy, Michael W. Rabin
Abstract
We present measurements from a cryogenic microcalorimeter designed to detect alpha particles. The enhanced resolution of microcalorimeter alpha detectors will provide new capabilities for actinide analysis. We demonstrate a spectral resolution of 2.4 keV FWHM for 5.3 MeV alpha particles from a 210Po source. In addition, we present an alpha spectrum from 209Po showing the first direct measurement of decay into the 205Pb ground state. Finally, measurements of 100 keV gamma-rays from a Gd source show an ultimate alpha particle resolution of 159 eV to be possible and possibly providing an avenue for investigating ion energy loss mechanisms in bulk materials.Citation
Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Volume
151
Issue
3-4
Pub Type
Journals
Download Paper
Keywords
alpha spectroscopy, cryogenic detector, microcalorimeter
Citation
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Created January 25, 2008, Updated October 12, 2021