Application of a CdTe gamma-ray spectrometer to remote characterization of high-level radioactive waste tanks

Small, shielded cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductor gamma-ray detectors have been used for in situ radiological characterization of underground high-level radioactive waste tanks. Remote measurements up to 700 R/h have been made in gamma radiation fields. Spectral data have been used to generate qualitative and quantitative radionuclide profiles of high-level radioactive waste tanks. Two electronic spectral enhancement techniques (pulse risetime discrimination and pulse risetime compensation) have been used in order to measure trace isotopes in the presence of large amounts of /sup 137/Cs Spectral resolution better than 1.5% FWHM (full width at half maximum) for the /sup 137/Cs 662-keV photopeak has been obtained.<
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