What is it about?
The national metrology institutes for the USA and Canada measured the radioactivity of C-14 samples for a bilateral comparison. Both labs used two different techniques. Agreement between the techniques and between the labs improved when the correct beta spectrum shape factor was used. Most labs have assumed an "allowed" spectrum in the past. It doesn't look like that's a good assumption.
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Why is it important?
C-14 measurements are important for dating, biological tracing, and environmental studies. Consistent international standards for such an important nuclide assure global comparability of measurements. This work shows that using an "allowed" shape for the beta spectrum may introduce bias to liquid scintillation counting measurements of C-14.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Comparison of 14C liquid scintillation counting at NIST and NRC Canada, Applied Radiation and Isotopes, March 2016, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.11.007.
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