Extension of the TDCR model to compute counting efficiencies for radionuclides with complex decay schemes

•The TDCR model was extended to complex decay schemes.•β− transitions with up to seven coincident γ transitions can be calculated.•The extensions were tested using 59Fe, 64Cu, 166mHo and 229Th.•Further improvements of the models are required.

The triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method is frequently used to measure the activity of radionuclides decaying by pure β emission or electron capture (EC). Some radionuclides with more complex decays have also been studied, but accurate calculations of decay branches which are accompanied by many coincident γ transitions have not yet been investigated.This paper describes recent extensions of the model to make efficiency computations for more complex decay schemes possible. In particular, the MICELLE2 program that applies a stochastic approach of the free parameter model was extended. With an improved code, efficiencies for β−, β+ and EC branches with up to seven coincident γ transitions can be calculated. Moreover, a new parametrization for the computation of electron stopping powers has been implemented to compute the ionization quenching function of 10 commercial scintillation cocktails.In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the TDCR method, the following radionuclides are discussed: 166mHo (complex β−/γ), 59Fe (complex β−/γ), 64Cu (β−, β+, EC and EC/γ) and 229Th in equilibrium with its progenies (decay chain with many α, β and complex β−/γ transitions).