https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02395-8
Regular Article
Alpha spectrometry of uranium and plutonium at short source-to-detector distances
1
Institute for Nuclear Research, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 47 Nauky Avenue, Kiev, Ukraine
2
Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 12 Lysogirska Street, Kiev, Ukraine
a
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Received:
29
August
2025
Accepted:
18
May
2026
Published online:
26
May
2026
Abstract
Alpha spectrometry is a sensitive and highly selective method for determining the isotopic composition of plutonium, uranium, and other alpha-emitting radionuclides. This technique is widely applied in nuclear forensics, radioecology, and nuclear material monitoring. In this work, we examine the specific features of conducting alpha-spectrometric measurements at short source-to-detector distances. Such an approach increases the registration efficiency of alpha particles but requires specialized spectrum processing to account for coincidence effects and peak overlaps. Particular attention is given to the analysis of complex spectra in which the alpha lines of radioactive isotopes may significantly overlap, as in the case of 239Pu and 240Pu or 238Pu and 241Am. Examples are presented demonstrating the influence of energy-summing effects on the accuracy of isotope ratio determinations, along with approaches to peak deconvolution. A comparison of alpha-, gamma-, and mass-spectrometric methods for determining the isotopic composition of uranium and plutonium is also provided. It is shown that, despite lower accuracy compared with mass spectrometry, alpha spectrometry remains indispensable for establishing the complete isotopic composition, particularly for low-activity radionuclides. The importance of accounting for coincidences involving alpha particles, conversion electrons, X-rays, and Auger electrons is emphasized, as well as the potential of using Geant4 software for decay process simulations to improve measurement accuracy.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
