1. Long-term performances of the 95ZR/95Nb chronometer for nuclear events dating
- Author
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C. Jutier, G. Le Petit, G. Douysset, and P. Gross
- Subjects
Fission products ,Radiation ,Marine chronometer ,law ,Statistics ,Monte Carlo method ,Environmental science ,law.invention ,Term (time) - Abstract
The present work reports on a long-term analysis of the performances of the 95Zr/95Nb chronometer for dating a nuclear event. Taking benefit of a recent Profiency Test Exercise, a sample containing a standardized mixture of fission products has been measured repeatedly with a low background HPGe spectrometer during a period extending up to one year with the aim of assessing the accuracy of the various zero-time determinations. Evaluation of the uncertainties associated to these evaluations was performed using a Monte Carlo approach. Input parameters sensitivity has been investigated, especially the influence of the 95mNb decay branch. The 95Zr/95Nb chronometer was found to be accurate for zero-time determination within one day and one week for a decay of 3 months and 10 months respectively. Sub-day uncertainties are achievable for a two months old sample whereas sub-week uncertainties are reached after a decay of six months. Limitations of the technique for dating a real event are investigated.
- Published
- 2014
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