Search for Long-Lived Natural Beta Radioactivities [Thesis]

A number of naturally occurring nuclides exist which should or might be unstable according to nuclear stability rules or experimental evidence. A search has been made for a number of the associated natural radioactivities using a large internal-sample proportional counter for direct sample counting. Background reduction was accomplished by massive shielding and a ring of anticoincidence counters. A multichannel pulse analyzer modified for anticoincidence control was used to search for low intensity electron-capture transitions.