Practical aspects of the application of cherenkov counting method with the correction of sample’s color quenching

Abstract

Cerenkov counting is a convenient and effective method of counting high-energy beta radiation, which has long been used to measure a number of radionuclides, such as, in particular, 90Sr+90Y, in environmental objects. The traditional Cerenkov method requires the use of radiochemical sample preparation procedures, but these procedures may be simpler than those used, for example, for the liquid scintillation counting (LSC) method. We proposed the Cerencov method, which corrects color quench effect. The method is based on the correlation between the counting rates of the radiation of the sample and its external standard, which is observed for a wide range of color quenching of the samples. The use of such a Cerencov method allows measurement of high-energy -emitters, in particular, its use as an express method for the study of 90Sr+90Y in surface water. For a number of cases, the method makes it possible to avoid the use of long lasting and expensive sample preparation procedures. The results of the cross-testing of the samples obtained by the Cerencov method and direct measurement by the liquid scintillation counting method are in good agreement with each other.