Self-absorption correction in determining the 238U activity of soil samples via 63.3 keV gamma ray using MCNP5 code

The essential issue in analyzing the activity of 238U in an HPGe detector based gamma spectrometer via 63.3 keV line is relating to the strong self-absorption of this weak gamma ray in sample material. The present work suggests a method of the self-absorption corrections for 63.3 keV gamma rays by a combination of experimental measurements and Monte Carlo MCNP5 calculations. The effects of sample chemical composition, density and geometry were calculated in terms of self-attenuation factors. The method, developed for a cylindrical sample geometry, accounted for variable sample heights and densities. The analysis of 238U activity was applied for three main soil types in Vietnam, which are grey, alluvial and red soils. The results obtained with the above outlined method were in good agreement with those derived by other methods.

► Determination of the 238U activity via 63.3 keV gamma rays.
► Self-attenuation factors of 63.3 keV gamma rays for cylindrical sample container.
► The density, chemical composition and geometry effects are taken into account.
► Determination of the 238U activity in three soil types: grey, alluvial and red soils.