Study of 138La radioactive decays using LaBr3 scintillators

We present a detailed investigation of the intrinsic activity of LaBr3 scintillators from the natural abundance of radioactive isotope 138La. Compared to earlier studies of lanthanum halides intrinsic activity, we gained a sharper insight by using samples of different sizes, ranging from 0.16 cm3 to 347 cm3, and by applying in our recent analysis results on the non-proportionality of scintillation response. In addition, we took advantage of the fact that LaBr3 spectrometers offer a unique opportunity, never available before, to study the characteristics of the 138La electron capture and β radioactive decays that are 2nd order unique forbidden transitions. The observed shape of the β continuum, measured down to the energy of 2 keV, is found to be different than expected from standard nuclear theory, indicating a possible underestimation of the screening effect for β energies below 75 keV.