An inexpensive way to introduce students to gamma spectroscopy

Abstract

This paper presents two ways to introduce the student to some basic experimental concepts of gamma spectroscopy, without the use of expensive professional measurement equipment. For one, the complete experiment was simulated through several computer programs. Using this simulation, students are tasked with performing all the operations that must be performed in a real experimental setup, to obtain the spectrum of gamma radiation, as the expected result. For the second approach, equipment has been designed that looks and functions like real experimental equipment, and students can use it to perform completely identical procedures in the measurement process as with the real one. The central part of each component of a system designed in this way is a programmable microcontroller, set to perform a function analogous to that of the actual components. By working in these two ways, with a virtual experiment or a setup designed to fully imitate real measurement equipment, students can be introduced to the field of gamma spectroscopy and acquire a routine that can be repeated in real experiments. The main advantage of these two described methods is that they only require small investments.