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Archaeometry at OSU’s Radiation Center |
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ï The energy released by the decay and carried off by the gamma ray is characteristic of the particular isotope undergoing decay. By collecting and measuring the full spectrum of gamma rays emitted by a sample it is possible to identify and precisely quantify the range of radioisotopes present in the sample, and thus to determine the elemental composition of the sample. |
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This spectrum reveals the gamma ray energies released from an activated sample of coal fly ash (NIST1633a), following a 1-m irradiation and 15-m decay. Peaks in the spectrum indicate the presence of aluminum (at 1779 keV), vanadium (1434 keV), and manganese (846 keV). |
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Gamma spectra: |
