RFQ - HPGe Gamma-Ray Spectrometer

Tender description

The Nuclear Metrology group within the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) requires a new high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer to add to its small suite of gamma-ray spectrometers employed for the activity assay of environmental level samples. This will be achieved more specifically through purity measurements to differentiate radionuclide contents as well as using the asset to provide standardisation of radioactivity for material that cannot be determined by other means, typically for non-destructive testing of samples. Furthermore, the instrument will support broader measurement services in examining nuclear decay data and developing gamma emitting reference materials in a variety of matrices, such as concrete, to support the nuclear power and environmental radioactivity sectors. The intended HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer will improve the capabilities at NPL by having a significantly higher relative efficiency than currently present and be compatible with our current low background lead shields and in the future a Compton suppression system to further enhance the detection limits achievable. To this effect, NPL is seeking to procure a 100 % relative efficiency n-type HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer that is supplied with a hybrid liquid nitrogen dewar with a recycling system.