83mKr radioactive source based on 83Rb trapped in cation-exchange paper or in zeolite

The mono-energetic conversion electrons from the decay of 83mKr represent a unique tool for energy calibration and systematic studies of the tritium beta spectrum measured in neutrino mass determination experiments. For this reason, the corresponding parent isotope was produced in reactions natKr(p,xn)83Rb. The behaviour of 83Rb (T1/2=86.2d) and its daughter product 83mKr (T1/2=1.83h) was examined, when the 83Rb was trapped in a cation-exchanger chromatographic paper or in zeolite. Using gamma spectroscopy measurements, recommendations for the production of a 83Rb/83mKr radionuclide generator based on these cation-exchangers and suitable for the neutrino mass determination experiment KATRIN were deduced.