• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.2999-3005
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• 2022

The new experimental setup has been built at the 11b channel of the IBR-2 research reactor at FLNP, JINR, to study the elemental composition of samples by registration of prompt gamma emission during thermal neutron capture. The setup consists of a curved mirror neutron guide and a radiation-resistant HPGe high-purity germanium detector. The detector is surrounded by lead shielding to suppress the natural background gamma level. The sample is placed in a vacuum channel and surrounded by a LiF shield to suppress the gamma background generated by scattered neutrons. This work presents characteristics of the experimental setup. An example of hydrogen concentration determining in a diamond powder made by detonation synthesis is given and on its basis, the sensitivity of the setup is calculated being ~4 ㎍.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.325-336
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• 2019

The activity concentrations of $^{226}Ra$, $^{232}Th$, and $^{40}K$ from 102 building materials samples were determined using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity concentrations were evaluated for possible radiological hazards to the human health. The excess lifetime cancer risks (ELCR) were also estimated, and the average values were recorded as $0.42{\pm}0.24{\times}10^{-3}$, $3.22{\pm}1.83{\times}10^{-3}$, and $3.65{\pm}1.85{\times}10^{-3}$ for outdoor, indoor, and total ELCR respectively. The activity concentrations were further subjected to RESRAD-BUILD computer code to evaluate the long-term radiation exposure to a dweller. The indoor doses were assessed from zero up to 70 years. The simulation results were $92{\pm}59$, $689{\pm}566$, and $782{\pm}569{\mu}Sv\;y^{-1}$ for indoor external, internal, and total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) respectively. The results reported were all below the recommended maximum values. Therefore, the radiological hazards attributed to building materials under study are negligible.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2023

Based on the actual shape of the detector and the data provided by the manufacturer, the shape of the detector was implemented through Penelope simulation and applied to the appropriate four-layer thickness based on the efficiency obtained from the measurements. Efficiency calculations to determine the effect of the simulated number of Full Energy Peak Efficiency(FEPE) channels in the detector and the outside contact layer in the crystal on the Full Energy Peak Efficiency were performed for various four-layer thicknesses of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4 mm using the Penelope Code. When the thickness of the external contact layer was increased by 5 times, the Full Energy Peak Efficiency decreased by about 36% for 59.50 keV, and the Full Energy Peak Efficiency decreased by 10% for 1836. In addition, as it increased by 10 times, the Full Energy Peak Efficiency decreased by about 20% for 59.54 keV, and 7% for 1836.01 keV. The Penelope simulated Full Energy Peak Efficiency channel decreases exponentially with the increase in the four layers. In addition, it was confirmed that the total effect curve was well matched with a relative difference of less than 3.5% in the 0.3-1.4 mm dead layer thickness region. However, it was found that the inhomogeneous dead layer is still a parameter in the Monte Carlo model.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2020

The distance between the source and the detector, the diameter of the detector, and the volume effect of the radiation source result in a change in solid angle at the detector entrance, which affects the determination of detection efficiency by causing a difference in path length within the detector. A typical analysis method for calculating solid angles was useful only for a source (⁶⁰Co) with a simple geometric structure, so in this experiment, the distance between the detector and the source was measured by switching on for up to 25 cm with the reference point of window cap 0.5 cm. In addition, 450 and 1000 ㎖ Marinelli beaker of standard volumetric sources were closely adhered to the detector. For circular point sources co-axial with the detector, the change in the solid angle to the distance from the detector window is equal to half the square radius of the source versus the square radius of the detector, if the resulting relationship of the calculation analysis results in the detector being less than the radius of the source. Since the solid angular difference is 0.5 the result of Monte Carlo is acceptable. The relationship between detector and source distance is shown. Solid angles have been verified to decrease rapidly with distance. Measurement and simulation results for a volumetric source show a difference of ±1.01% from a distance of 0 cm and less than 4 % when the distance is reduced to 5 and 10 cm. It can be seen that the longer distance, the smaller efficiency angle, and the exponential increase in attenuation as the energy decreases, is reflected in the calculation of efficiency. Thus, the detection efficiency has proved sufficient for the use of solid angle and Monte Carlo codes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.507-513
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• 2022

When X-ray energy above 8 MV is used, photoneutrons are generated by the photonuclear reaction, which activates the components of linear accelerator (linac). Safely managing the radioactive material, when disposing linac or replacing components, is difficult, as the standards for the radioactive material management are not clear in Korea. We surveyed the management status of radioactive components occurred from medical linacs in Korea. And we also measured the activation of each part of the discarded Elekta linac using a survey meter and portable High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. We found that most medical institutions did not perform radiation measurements when disposing of radioactive components. The radioactive material was either stored within the institution or collected by the manufacturer. The surface dose rate measurements showed that the parts with high surface dose rates were target, primary collimator, and multileaf collimator (MLC). ⁶⁰Co nuclide was detected in most parts, whereas for the target, ⁶⁰Co and ¹⁸⁴Re nuclides were detected. Results suggest that most institutions in Korea did not have the regulations for disposing radioactive waste from linac or the management procedures and standards were unclear. Further studies are underway to evaluate short-lived radionuclides and to lay the foundation for radioactive waste management from medical linacs.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.145-152
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• 2021

Purpose: During the treatments of cancer patients with a linear accelerator (LINAC) using photon beams with energies ≥8 MV, the components inside the LINAC head get activated through the interaction of photonuclear reaction (γ, n) and neutron capture (n, γ). We used spectroscopy and measured the dose rate for the LINAC in operation after the treatment ended. Methods: We performed spectroscopy and dose rate measurements for three units of LINACs with a portable high-purity Germanium (HPGe) detector and a survey meter. The spectra were obtained after the beams were turned off. Spectroscopy was conducted for 3,600 seconds, and the dose rate was measured three times. We identified the radionuclides for each LINAC. Results: According to gamma spectroscopy results, most of the nuclides were short-lived radionuclides with half-lives of 100 days, except for ⁶⁰Co, ⁶⁵Zn, and ¹⁸¹W nuclides. The dose rate for three LINACs obtained immediately in front of the crosshair was in the range of 0.113 to 0.129 µSv/h. The maximum and minimum dose rates measured on weekends were 0.097 µSv/h and 0.092 µSv/h, respectively. Compared with the differences in weekday data, there was no significant difference between the data measured on Saturday and Sunday. Conclusions: Most of the detected radionuclides had half-lives <100 days, and the dose rate decreased rapidly. For equipment that primarily used energies ≤10 MV, when the equipment was transferred after at least 10 minutes after shutting it down, it is expected that there will be little effect on the workers' exposure.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.2447-2453
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• 2023

The radioactivity concentrations of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) i.e., ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴K in various chemical fertilizers being used in the agricultural soil of Pakistan were determined utilizing gamma spectrometry by employing a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The radioactivity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴K extended from 2.58 ± 0.8-265.7 ± 8.8 Bq kg^-1, 1.53 ± 0.14-76.6 ± 1.07 Bq kg^-1 and 36.5 ± 1.34-15606.7 ± 30.2 Bq kg^-1 respectively. The radiological hazard parameters such as internal and external indices and annual effective dose rates were calculated, while excessive lifetime cancer risk factors for the indoor and outdoor areas were found in the range from 0.3×10^-3 to 10.723×10^-3 and 0.03×10^-3 to 2.7948×10^-3 of most fertilizers, however, some values were slightly higher than the UNSCEAR (The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) recommended values for potash-containing fertilizers such as MOP (Muriate of Potash).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.207-215
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• 2024

This study focuses on measuring the levels of naturally occurring radioactivity in the soil of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, as well as the associated health hazard. Thirty (30) soil samples were collected from various locations and analyzed for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K radioactivity levels using a High Purity Germanium detector (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer with a photo-peak efficiency of approximately 52.3%. The average values obtained for these radionuclides are 35.6 ± 5.7 Bqkg^-1, 47 ± 12.5 Bqkg^-1, and 877 ± 153 Bqkg^-1, respectively. The level of ²³²Th is slightly higher and ⁴⁰K is 2.2 times higher than the internationally recommended limit of 30 Bqkg^-1 and 400 Bqkg^-1, respectively. Various parameters were calculated based on the results obtained, including Radium Equivalent (Ra_eq), External Hazard (H_ex), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGDE), Annual Effective Dose Rate, and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), which are 170.3 ± 24 Bqkg^-1, 0.46 ± 0.06 Bqkg^-1, 81.4 ± 2.04 nGy h^-1, 582 ± 78.08 µSvy^-1, 99.8 ± 13.5 µSv Gy^-1, and 0.349 ± 0.04, respectively. These values are below the limits recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in 2002. This study highlights the potential radiation threats associated with natural radioactivity levels in the soil of Swabi and provides valuable information for public health and safety.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 1997

Recently, the conclusion of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT) is globally constructing a network system for nuclear test monitoring. The radionuclide experts of the Conference on Disarmament recommended that the detection of nuclear debris in the atmosphere was an essential factor of nuclear test monitoring and proposed the technical requirements. Based on those requirements, atmospheric radionuclide monitoring system to detect nuclear debris generated from the nuclear explosion test was composed. The system is comprised of high volume air sampler(HVAS), filter paper presser and high purity germanium detector(HPGe). Minimum detectable concentrations(MDCs) of the key nuclides requiring in CTBT monitoring strategies are determined by considering of decay time, counting time and flow rate of the high volume air sampler for the rapid explosion and the optimum measurement condition. The results were selected $10{\pm}$2h, $20{\pm}$2h and $850{\pm}50m^3$/h as parameters, respectively. The relation between the natural air-borne radionuclide concentration of $^{212}Pb$ and MDC were calculated which gave effect in the Compton continuum baseline due to those nuclides in the gamma-ray spectroscopy. These results can be used as an actually tool in the CTBT monitoring strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2017

Compton suppression apparatus using the Compton scattering response, by inhibiting part of the spectrum Compton continuum Compton continuum in the area of the peak analysis of the gamma rays that enables a clearer device. In order to find out the geometry structure of high-purity germanium detector(HPGe) -NaI(TI) and to optimize the effect of movement, Monte Carlo simulation was used to grasp the behavioral characteristics of Compton suppression and compare several layout structures. And applied to the cylinder beaker used for the environmental measurement by using the efficiency according to the distance. For the low-energy source such as 81 keV, the Compton continuum is scarcely developed and the suppression effect is also insignificant because the scattering cross-section of the Compton effect is relatively low. In the spectrum for the remaining energy, it can be seen that the Compton continuum part is suppressed in a certain energy range. Compton suppression effect was not significantly different from positional shift. average reduction factor(ARF) value was about 1.08 for 81 keV and about 1.23 for 1332.4keV energy at the highest value. It can be seen that suppression over the Compton continuum region of the energy spectrum is a more appropriate arrangement. Therefore, it can be applied to various environmental sample measurement through optimized structure.