DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS - NUCLEAR ENGINEERING - MEDICAL PHYSICS

APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS - NUCLEAR ENGINEERING

IN ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY AND ISOTOPE HYDROLOGY MEASUREMENT

I.       RESEARCH INTEREST

Analysis of radioisotopes in environmental samples using the gamma spectrometer

Methods of self-absorption correction, sum-coincidence correction, background reduction for gamma spectroscopy using HPGe detector are developed for precise radioisotopes’ concentrations analysis, improving the ability of detecting environmental as well as artificial radioisotopes in soil, air, and water samples, etc… Additionally, determining the degree of confidence of experimental results is studied due to the support and comparing with simulating results by using MCNP, PENELOPE, and GEANT4.

Analysis of radioisotopes in environmental samples using the alpha spectrometer

Radiochemistry methods and procedures are studied, applied and developed in order to investigate environmental radioisotopes using alpha spectroscopy with PIPS (Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon) detectors. Some studies of this field are: the study about features of analysis system, ranges of alpha particles, the study of creating uranium standard source, proposing optimum analysis procedures, investigation of radioisotopes²²⁶Ra in bottled water and²¹⁰Po as well as²¹⁰Pb in cigarettes, tea leaves, fertilizers produced in Vietnam.

Analysis of elements in environmental samples using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and neutron activation analysis.

Analysis of elements for  product quality testing, materials and biological samples, analysis of trace elements in the soil and in the ecosystem components, analysis and evaluation of the toxic elements in food, food, environmental pollution, ...

Figure 3. Sample transfer system in neutron activation analysis

II.       RESULTS

Result of improving minimum detection activity

Result of self-absorption correction

Result of evaluating gamma spectrometry by simulation

Analyzing of ²¹⁰Po in cigarette and ²²⁶Ra in bottled water

III.         PUBLICATIONS

[1]. Hao, L.C., Tao, C.V., Nhon, M.V., “Methods for thin foil thickness determination by using alpha spectroscopy”, Kerntechnik, 03, 135-137, 2010.

[2]. Hao, L.C., Tao, C.V., Dong, N.V., Nghi, H.N., Dung, P.T., Thong, N.V., “Rapid preparation of Uranium and Thorium alpha sources by electroplating technique”, Kerntechnik, 06, 381-385, 2010.

[3]. M.-C. Lépy, Chau Van Tao, Tran Thien Thanh et al, “Intercomparison of Methods for Coincidence summing corrections in gamma ray spectrometry”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Vol. 68 Issues 7-8, 1407-1412, 2010.

[4]. T.T. Thanh, L. Ferreux, M.C. Lépy, C.V. Tao, “Determination activity of radionuclides in marine sediment by gamma spectrometer with anti-cosmic shielding”, Journal of Environmental radioactivity Vol 101, Issue 9,780-783, 2010.

[5]. H. T. Phuong, M. V. Nhon, V.T.T. Trang and E. Ishistuka, “Application of Pade Approximation for Calculation Of Epithermal Neutron Self-Shielding Factors Of Some Materials Dealing With Doppler Broadening Effects”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes 68, 1177-1179, 2010.

[6]. Hao, L.C., Tao, C.V., Dong, N.V., Thong, N.V., Linh, D.M., “Determination of natural uranium, thorium and radium isotopes in water and soil samples by alpha spectroscopy”, Kerntechnik, 04, 285-191, 2011.

[7]. M.-C. Lépy, Chau Van Tao, Tran Thien Thanh et al., “Intercomparison of Methods for Coincidence summing corrections in gamma ray spectrometry – Part II (Volume sources)”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Vol 70, 2012.

[8]. T. T. Thanh, C. V. Tao, T. T. H. Loan, M. V. Nhon, H. D. Chuong and B. H. Au, “A detailed investigation of interactions within the shielding to HPGe detector response using MCNP code”, Kerntechnik 77/6, 458-461, 2012.

[9]. T. T. Thanh, C. V. Tao, H. D. Chuong and B. H. Au, “Development of program DETSIM to simulate detector’s full energy peak efficiency”, Kerntechnik 77/6, 449-452, 2012.

[10]. H. T. Phuong, M. V. Nhon, L. D. H. Oanh, “Development of k0-INAA standardization method by neutron activation with Am–Be source”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 70, 478-482, 2012.

[11]. Thien Thanh Tran, Laurent Ferreux, Marie-Christine Lepy, Chau Van Tao, Sylvie Pierre (2013), Characterization of a cosmic suppression spectrometer, Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 114-118.

[12]. Laurent Ferreux, Sylvie Pierre, Tran Thien Thanh, Marie-Christine Lepy (2013), Validation of efficiency transfer for Marinelli geometries Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 67-70.

[13]. Le Cong Hao, Miyako Nitta, Ryoko Fujiyoshi, Takashi Sumiyoshi, Chau Van Tao (2013), “Radiocesium Fallout in Surface Soil of Tomakomai Experimental Forest in Hokkaido due to the Fukushima Nuclear Accident”, Water, Air, & Soil Pollution , 224: 1028.

[14]. Ngo Quang Huy, Do Quang Binh, Vo Xuan An, Truong Thi Hong Loan, Nguyen Thanh Can, “Self-absorption correction in determining the U-238 activity of soil samples via 63.3 keV gamma ray using MCNP5 code, Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 71 (2013) 11-20.

[15]. T.T. Thanh, T.T. H. Loan, M.V. Nhon, C.V. Tao (2014), Improvement passive shielding to background reduction: application to determinate radioactivity at low-energy gamma rays, Kerntechnik, Vol 79, No 3, 247-252.

[16]. Thuy-Ngan N. TRAN, Cong-Hao LE, Van-Tao CHAU (2014), ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb Activity Concentrations in Cigarettes Produced in Vietnam and Their Estimated Dose Contribution Due to Smoking, Proceedings of The 12^th Asia Pacific Physics Conference (APPC12), Makuhari – Japan, 2013, JPS Conf.Proc. 1, 019002.