A method for correcting NaI spectra for attenuation losses in hand-held instrument applications

In this paper we present the gross-count material basis set (GC-MBS) method for estimating transmission losses in measurements of radionuclides using low-resolution gamma-ray detectors such as NaI or CdZnTe. The application to continuum-subtracted peaks measured with high-purity Ge detectors is also discussed. To illustrate the method, we apply it to the correction of spectra from enriched uranium that have been distorted by various intervening absorbers. We also examine the application to simultaneous determination of the uranium enrichment through an unknown absorber using an NaI detector.