Desenvolvimento de uma cápsula selada de 22Na para produção de feixe de pósitrons

Abstract

This work aimed to produce a sealed capsule of ²²Na, consisting of a source of positrons for the new line of research of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory (LEAM) - UFJF, to use optionally slow positron beams, rather than electrons, in the apparatus available in this laboratory to study atoms and molecules. The work encompassed several steps, such as the choice of the emission source of positrons, radionuclide storage, the sealed capsule design, its construction, the development of a charging system of the capsule, sealing, considering all aspects of inherent in radiological protection. The positron source chosen was the radioactive element ²²Na, long half-life radioisotope (2.6 years) and reasonably low biological half-life (11 days). Its application is not immediate and requires its proper and safe packaging in a perfectly sealed capsule, being subsequently necessary to moderate the energy of fast positrons spontaneously emitted by the source. This is the first ²²Na sealed capsule produced in Brazil, placing us in the select group of researchers who have mastered this technology.