| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1878640 | Applied Radiation and Isotopes | 2014 | 5 Pages |
•An air filter spiked with fission products was analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry.•T0 of the fictitious nuclear explosion was determined using 95Zr/95Nb chronometer.•Very accurate dating can be obtained even after several months of decay.•To avoid GUM limitations, uncertainties were assessed using Monte Carlo simulation.•Practical limitations of this chronometer in actual situations are investigated.
The present work reports on a long-term analysis of the performances of the 95Zr/95Nb chronometer for dating a nuclear event. Taking benefit of a recent Profiency Test Exercise, a sample containing a standardized mixture of fission products has been measured repeatedly with a low background HPGe spectrometer during a period extending up to one year with the aim of assessing the accuracy of the various zero-time determinations. Evaluation of the uncertainties associated to these evaluations was performed using a Monte Carlo approach. Input parameters sensitivity has been investigated, especially the influence of the 95mNb decay branch. The 95Zr/95Nb chronometer was found to be accurate for zero-time determination within one day and one week for a decay of 3 months and 10 months respectively. Sub-day uncertainties are achievable for a two months old sample whereas sub-week uncertainties are reached after a decay of six months. Limitations of the technique for dating a real event are investigated.
