Design, manufacture, and quality control of a calibration standard source of gamma-ray spectrometry system with filter matrix

Identifying and measuring the radioactivity of airborne particles are a necessary and very important to recognize and estimate the effect of radioactive contamination on human health and the environment. Gamma-ray spectromety is one of the most useful methods for quantitative and qualitative analysis of samples, like air filters. One of the first and necessary steps in performing sample analysis by Gamma-ray spectrometer is to calibrate this equipment, which requires appropriate standard sources. The purpose of this research is to design and manufacture a suitable standard source considering filter geometry and its quality control and validation. For this purpose, a circular HEPA air filter with a diameter of 60 mm was used. Gamma-ray spectrometry system (HPGe) was calibrated by mentioned standard source. The results of counting and quality control of the manufactured source showed the accuracy of source manufacturing method. The validation of manufacturing method by Spike method showed an acceptable error of 8%.