Precision and accuracy in the determination of plutionium-239 /uranium-233, americium-241/ uranium-233 and curium-244 /uranium-233 alpha activity ratios by alpha spectrometry

Determination of239Pu/233U,241Am/233U and244Cm/233U alpha activity ratios is required when using233U as a tracer for the determination of plutonium, americium and curium by alpha spectrometry. Precision and accuracy in the determination of these alpha activity ratios was evaluated by preparing synthetic mixtures from solutions of enriched isotopes of239Pu,241Am,244Cm and233U. Separate synthetic mixtures were prepared for each of the three alpha activity ratios. The sources from the synthetic mixtures were prepared by direct evaporation method using tetra ethylene glycol /TEG/ as a spreading agent, alpha spectra were recorded by employing solid state silicon surface barrier detectors coupled to a 4 K analyzer and the alpha spectra were evaluated by a method based on the geometric progression decrease for the far tail of the spectrum. Large area detector /i.e. 450 mm2/ was observed to reduce the effect of nonhomogeneous distribution, if any, of the two elements present in the source. Precision and accuracy of about 1% is demonstrated for the determination of239Pu/233U,241Am/233U and244Cm/233U alpha activity ratios using large area silicon surface barrier detector.