Thermal diffusion of 57Co into rhodium matrix as a second step in preparing Mössbauer sources

Thermal diffusion of 57Co into rhodium matrix was studied. The diffusion degree was evaluated by Mössbauer spectroscopy with the use of α-Fe absorber. The influence of different annealing conditions was investigated. For a set of sources examined, smooth and rounded Lorentzian lines were observed. The main spectra parameters are fairly acceptable with respect to the typical obtainable values for α-Fe absorbers in Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results obtained confirm that the deposited 57Co diffused almost completely into rhodium matrix without substantial loss of the activity deposited.