Electrodeposition source preparation for 238U alpha source: Parameter settings

Abstract

A literature and experimental study was carried out on 238U source preparation optimization for electrodeposition. A proper uranium source for alpha spectrometry must be thin and uniform and have a homogeneous activity distrubution in order to obtain high energy resolution spectra and avoid low energy tailing. To meet these requirements, electrodeposition is one of the most common methods for preparing alpha sources for high resolution spectroscopy. The spectral properties (resolution, tailing) are more important in nuclear data metrology than in any other type of measurement (e.g. environmental analysis, geological studies). For a high quality alpha source many parameters should be optimized. The following settings were studied: type of the electrolyte, type of the electrode, surface quality of the backings, deposited mass, rotation and shape of the anode, current density, deposition time and the experience of the analyst.