ABSTRACT
Liquid-scintillation techniques allow counting (detection and quantification) of nonpenetrating alpha and beta radiation in ways that are potentially more accurate and reproducible and are often easier than other methods. The use of liquid scintillation for alpha counting and spectrometry has been much less employed because other usable methods were developed, because both beta and gamma radiation interfere with alpha counting in liquid scintillation, and because equipment and methods to take full advantage of the capabilities of liquid scintillation in alpha counting and spectrometry have not, until recently, been readily available. Several variations of equipment for alpha-liquid-scintillation spectrometry are now on the market. Their capability varies from those that are essentially beta-liquid-scintillation counters to those designed especially for alpha-liquid-scintillation spectrometry. Alpha spectrometry employing combined liquid scintillation and solvent extraction offers multiple advantages: simple methods of preparing the scintillator/sample, reproducible sample preparation, and samples capable of yielding high-energy and time resolution if used in a PERALS® spectrometer.
