Improved quantitative gamma-ray spectroscopy using a standard 3 inch NaI detector

Recent developments in the application of maximum likelihood expectation maximisation (MLEM) techniques to the deconvolution of low-resolution gamma-ray spectra have demonstrated a substantial improvement in both the energy-resolution and sensitivity achievable with the industry-standard 3" NaI scintillation counter. This technique can be used to determine the specific activities of the radioisotopes present in low-activity materials. In this paper, a practical application of this method for measuring the cement content of concrete in real-time is presented. However, the technique can be applied in many other fields.