Measurements of gamma-ray emission probabilities in the decay of americium-244g

Nakamura, Shoji  ; Terada, Kazushi*; Kimura, Atsushi   ; Nakao, Taro*; Iwamoto, Osamu  ; Harada, Hideo   ; Uehara, Akihiro*; Takamiya, Koichi*; Fujii, Toshiyuki*

Accurate data of -ray emission probabilities are frequently needed when one quantitatively determines the amount of isotope by -ray measurements or obtains neutron capture cross-sections using them. Americium-243, one of the most important minor actinides, produces Am after neutron capture. The 744-keV -ray decaying from the ground state of Am has a relatively large -ray emission probability c.a. 66%, however, its uncertainty is as large as 29%. The uncertainty of the -ray emission probability leads to a major factor of the systematic uncertainty on determining an amount of isotope, and therefore the -ray emission probability was measured by using an activation method and an examined level structure of Cm. In this study, the emission probability of 744-keV ray was derived as 66.51.1%, and its uncertainty was improved from 29% to 2%.