Low-level activity measurement of 131Xem, 133Xem, 135Xe and 133Xe in atmospheric air samples using high-resolution dual X–γ spectrometry

High-resolution dual X and γ spectrometry has been optimized to improve the sensitivity in analyzing radioxenon from environmental samples, especially for the metastable isotopes (131Xem and 133Xem). The full-energy peak (FEP) efficiency curve in the 20–700 keV range has been established with a global uncertainty better than ±3% using a Monte Carlo simulation. The minimum detectable activity concentrations (MDC) achievable at the laboratory for 131Xem, 133Xem, 133Xe and 135Xe are presented and the influence of 133Xe activity on the metastable radioxenon MDCs is evaluated.