radioactivity, e.g., law of decay of radioactivity, type of decay, and interaction of
radiation including particulate radiation with matter are dealt with appropriately.
This book builds up its foundation from the nature of the interaction of radiation
with matter, which brings out the differentiations among ionization counter, scintillation counter, and solid-state detector. Based on decay properties like nature of
radiation, its energy, and abundances (which are given in the decay scheme), an
attempt is made to select the type of counter for measuring radioactivity. Similarly,
the selection of the form in which a sample should be prepared for counting is also
discussed. The statistics of counting is enumerated, which can assist to decide some
of the routine-type corrections like subtraction and division of standard deviation
calculation. Finally, an effort is made to make the reader aware that there is a
difference between an ordinary chemical laboratory and a radiochemical one. There
is a need to understand that in designing a radiochemical laboratory, various considerations are needed which normally are not essential for an ordinary chemical
laboratory. Accordingly, these aspects of design of a radioactive laboratory have
been discussed. At the end, various possible questions related to counting are
mentioned so that the reader after solving them would become more familiar with
this field.
It is hoped that the 2nd edition of the book would suffice the need of readers.
However, it would be the pleasure of the authors to receive valuable comments and
suggestions from readers so that the next edition could be further improvised.
Solapur, India
Maheshwar Sharon
sharon@iitb.ac.in
Madhuri Sharon
sharonmadhuri@gmail.com
x
Preface
radiation including particulate radiation with matter are dealt with appropriately.
This book builds up its foundation from the nature of the interaction of radiation
with matter, which brings out the differentiations among ionization counter, scintillation counter, and solid-state detector. Based on decay properties like nature of
radiation, its energy, and abundances (which are given in the decay scheme), an
attempt is made to select the type of counter for measuring radioactivity. Similarly,
the selection of the form in which a sample should be prepared for counting is also
discussed. The statistics of counting is enumerated, which can assist to decide some
of the routine-type corrections like subtraction and division of standard deviation
calculation. Finally, an effort is made to make the reader aware that there is a
difference between an ordinary chemical laboratory and a radiochemical one. There
is a need to understand that in designing a radiochemical laboratory, various considerations are needed which normally are not essential for an ordinary chemical
laboratory. Accordingly, these aspects of design of a radioactive laboratory have
been discussed. At the end, various possible questions related to counting are
mentioned so that the reader after solving them would become more familiar with
this field.
It is hoped that the 2nd edition of the book would suffice the need of readers.
However, it would be the pleasure of the authors to receive valuable comments and
suggestions from readers so that the next edition could be further improvised.
Solapur, India
Maheshwar Sharon
sharon@iitb.ac.in
Madhuri Sharon
sharonmadhuri@gmail.com
x
Preface