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      An Experimental re-evaluation of Photon Mass Attenuation Coefficients

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      CREWSON-THESIS.pdf (27.64Mb)
      Date
      2013-03-28
      Author
      Crewson, Cody
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Level
      Masters
      Metadata
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      Abstract
      Photon mass attenuation coefficients are indispensable input parameters for use in several disciplines. They are of value for medical diagnostics, radiation therapy, material science, etc. Currently, photon mass attenuation coefficients derived from model calculations are widely used. This project directly measured the photon mass attenuation coefficients of water and a number of water based solutions. These measurements were made using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector allowing for increased resolution beyond traditional techniques. Four sources were used (\Ba, \Eu, \Cs, \Am) producing multiple photons of interest over the range of 40 keV to 1.4 MeV, allowed for simultaneous collection of data and a refining of uncertainties beyond past techniques. Direct measurements using a new liquid technique supported the validity of Bragg's additive law, allowing for the mass attenuation coefficient of a constituent element to be calculated from a set of independent measurements. This technique allows materials not easily directly measured to be determined without an overburdening increase in uncertainty. The same direct measurements showed a deviation from the currently relied upon National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) database - XCOM. Investigations of the deviation and surrounding references showed XCOM being at most accurate to 5 \% relative uncertainty.
      Degree
      Master of Science (M.Sc.)
      Department
      Physics and Engineering Physics
      Program
      Physics
      Supervisor
      Rangacharyulu, Chary
      Committee
      Hirose, Akira; Pywell, Rob; Deters, Ralph; Xiao, Chijin
      Copyright Date
      February 2013
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10388/ETD-2013-02-937
      Subject
      physics
      gamma radiation
      attenuation coefficients
      compton scattering
      photo-electric effect
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