Distribution of the 83Rb/83mKr activity on vacuum evaporated samples examined with the Timepix position sensitive detector

TL;DR

This study used the Timepix detector to analyze the surface distribution of vacuum evaporated 83Rb/83mKr sources, crucial for the KATRIN experiment, finding uniformity and consistent source size within expected parameters.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed spatial analysis of 83Rb/83mKr sources using the Timepix detector, confirming surface uniformity and accurate source size estimation.

Findings

No local inhomogeneities observed in the source surface.

Measured source diameter agrees within 5% of expected geometry.

Compton scattering complicates precise diameter measurement.

Abstract

Properties of vacuum evaporated 83Rb/83mKr sources of low-energy conversion electrons, which are under development for monitoring the energy scale stability of the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino experiment KATRIN, were examined by the Timepix pixel detector exhibiting the position resolution of at least 55 microm. No distinct local inhomogeneities in the surface distribution of 83Rb/83mKr were observed. The source diameter derived from the recorded image agrees within 5 % with that expected from evaporation geometry. More precise determination of the actual source diameter is complicated by Compton scattered electrons caused by 83Rb gamma-rays.