Kr radioactive source based on Rb trapped in cation-exchange paper or in zeolite

The mono-energetic conversion electrons from the decay of 83 m Kr represent a unique tool for energy calibration and systematic studies of the tritium beta spectrum measured in neutrino mass determination experiments. For this reason, the corresponding parent isotope was produced in reactions nat Kr(p,xn) 83 Rb. The behaviour of 83 Rb ( T 1 / 2 = 86.2 d ) and its daughter product 83 m Kr ( T 1 / 2 = 1.83 h ) was examined, when the 83 Rb was trapped in a cation-exchanger chromatographic paper or in zeolite. Using gamma spectroscopy measurements, recommendations for the production of a 83 Rb/ 83 m Kr radionuclide generator based on these cation-exchangers and suitable for the neutrino mass determination experiment KATRIN were deduced.