Development and characterization of standard 241Am sources

Abstract Monitoring of alpha activity is important in the nuclear facilities involved in handling of actinides. To detect their presence in routine samples, accurate and reliable estimation of alpha activity is required. This estimation is highly dependent on the performance of detector for the radionuclide in question. Calibration of the detector with standard sources is thus essential to accurately measure the activity of samples and check the performance of detector. In this paper, we discuss the development of alpha activity standards from the standardized solution of Am-241 using electrodeposition. These standards are then characterized for homogeneity by radial activity distribution plots using autoradiography techniques. The plots illustrated a plateau in four directions (x, y, xy, and yx) indicating a homogenous deposition of activity on planchette.