On the emission probability of the 66.7 keV {\gamma}-transition in the decay of 171Tm

TL;DR

This study precisely measures the gamma emission probability of the 66.73 keV line in 171Tm decay using gamma spectrometry and mass spectrometry, providing a key data point for nuclear decay data.

Contribution

The paper introduces an accurate experimental determination of the gamma emission probability for 171Tm decay, improving existing nuclear data.

Findings

Emission probability of 0.159(6)% for the 66.73 keV gamma line.

High-precision detection efficiency calibration using standard sources.

Use of radioisotopically pure samples for accurate measurement.

Abstract

The {\gamma}-emission probability of the 66.73 keV line in the decay of 171Tm has been experimentally determined using {\gamma}-spectrometry and inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Using a set of two reference sources, namely 60Co as primary standard and 44Ti/44Sc in secular equilibrium as secondary standards, we were able to deduce the detection efficiency at 67.87 keV of the used {\gamma}-spectrometry setup with high precision. The emission probability of the 66.73 keV {\gamma}-transition in the decay of 171Tm has been determined with a set of three radioisotopically pure 171Tm samples to be 0.159(6) %.