Self-Absorption Correction for Carbon-14

Abstract

A new and simple technique has been developed (10) for correcting C¹⁴ radioactivity measurements for loss of radiation due to self-absorption. Results are discussed which show the applicability of the technique for many different counting situations. It is found that the absorption of radiation follows a hyperbolic law much more closely than an exponential one. Furthermore, the absorption coefficient for the sample itself has been found to be a function of weight rather than a constant, as had been assumed for the derivation of the law of exponential absorption.