Radioactivity measurement device

Abstract

To provide a radioactivity measurement device capable of suppressing a decrease in working efficiency and an increase in working time during calibration using a standard radiation source.SOLUTION: A radioactivity measurement device 10 includes an identification medium 11, an information storage unit 12, an information reading unit 14, and a processing device 17. The identification medium 11 is provided on a standard radiation source S. The information storage unit 12 stores information on the standard radiation source S. An information reading unit 14 acquires information of the identification medium 11. The processing device 17 acquires at least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source S among the information stored in the information storage unit 12 according to the information acquired from the identification medium 11 by the information reading unit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radioactivity measuring device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, when performing chemical analysis of samples such as a large number of radioactive substances, an analysis support device is known that acquires information regarding items to be confirmed based on two different input processes, such as input operations by an operator and reading of an identification code unique to each sample (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-139829 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when calibrating the detection efficiency of a radiation detector prior to performing a process of measuring radiation emitted from a sample and quantifying the amount of radioactivity in the sample, a plurality of different standard radiation sources may be required to correspond to a plurality of types of samples having different media, containers, etc. When calibrating a radiation detector, information on each standard radiation source (e.g., the shape of the container, the nuclide contained therein, the radioactivity, and the reference date and time) is required, and it is desirable to accurately associate each of the plurality of standard radiation sources to be measured with each of the plurality of pieces of information used in analysis and interpretation. However, when performing a process that requires an operator to input information when analyzing multiple samples, as in the above-mentioned conventional technology, there is a risk that the operator will input information incorrectly, resulting in problems such as reduced work efficiency and increased work time due to having to redo the work.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a radioactivity measuring device that can suppress a decrease in work efficiency and an increase in work time during calibration using a standard radiation source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following aspects. (1): A radioactivity measuring device (10, 10A, 10B) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an identification medium (11) provided in a standard radiation source (S), a memory unit (12) that stores information about the standard radiation source, an information acquisition unit (14) that acquires information held by the identification medium, and a processing unit (17, 17A) that acquires at least a portion of information associated with the standard radiation source from the information in the memory unit in accordance with information acquired from the identification medium by the information acquisition unit.

[0007] (2): In the radioactivity measuring device described in (1) above, the identification medium may include at least a portion of the information in the memory unit that is associated with the standard radiation source, and the processing unit (17) may acquire at least a portion of the information associated with the standard radiation source from the identification medium using the information acquisition unit.

[0008] (3): In the radioactivity measuring device described in (1) above, the identification medium may include at least identification information of the standard radiation source, and the processing unit (17A) may acquire at least a part of information associated with the standard radiation source from the memory unit in accordance with the identification information acquired from the identification medium by the information acquisition unit.

[0009] (4): The radioactivity measuring device described in (1) above may include a notification unit (19) that notifies an operator, and the processing unit (17, 17A) may determine whether the standard radiation source is valid or not based on the information acquired from the information acquisition unit, and notify the operator of the determination result obtained by the determination unit (19).

[0010] (5): The radioactivity measuring device according to any one of (1) to (4) above may include a multi-pulse-height analyzer (16) controlled by the processing unit (17, 17A).

[0011] (6): The radioactivity measuring device described in (5) above may include a radiation detector (15) that detects radiation emitted from the standard radiation source.

[0012] (7): In the radioactivity measuring device described in (6) above, the processing unit (17A) may acquire at least a part of the information in the memory unit that is associated with the standard radiation source, based on the information acquired from the information acquisition unit and an analysis result obtained by analyzing the spectral data output from the multi-pulse-height analyzer based on the detection signal output from the radiation detector.

[0013] (8): The radioactivity measuring device described in (6) above may include an exchanger (31) that exchanges the standard radiation source to be detected by the radiation detector from among the plurality of standard radiation sources, and the information acquisition unit may acquire information from the identification medium provided on the standard radiation source selected by the exchanger as the detection target of the radiation detector.

[0014] (9) In the radioactivity measuring device described in (6) above, the radiation detector may be a semiconductor detector or a scintillation detector.

[0015] (10): In the radioactivity measuring device described in (1) above, the information on the standard radiation source stored in the memory unit may include at least the name and concentration of the nuclide contained in the standard radiation source, the date and time of radioactivity calibration, information on a container in which the standard radiation source is stored, information on filling in the container, and information on a serial number.

[0016] (11): In the radioactivity measuring device described in (10) above, the information associated with the standard radiation source may include at least information about the container and information about the serial number. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to (1) above, for example, it is possible to obtain information associated with a standard radiation source according to information obtained from an identification medium by an information obtaining unit without requiring an operator to input information, thereby preventing a decrease in work efficiency and an increase in work time during calibration using a standard radiation source.

[0018] In the case of (2) above, at least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source is acquired from the identification medium by the information acquisition unit, so that it is not necessary to refer to the memory unit, and work efficiency can be improved during calibration using the standard radiation source.

[0019] In the case of (3) above, since the identification medium includes at least the identification information of the standard radiation source, it is possible to prevent the amount of information on the identification medium from increasing. At least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source is obtained from the storage unit, so that accurate information associated with the standard radiation source can be obtained even if, for example, the information in the storage unit has been updated or changed.

[0020] In the case of (4) above, it is possible to prevent the reliability of calibration from being reduced due to, for example, an expired or soon-to-be expired standard radiation source.

[0021] In the case of (5) or (6) above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in work efficiency and an increase in work time when calibrating at least one of the multiple pulse-height analyzer and the radiation detector.

[0022] In the case of (7) above, even if it is not possible to identify the standard radiation source based solely on the information acquired from the identification medium by the information acquisition unit, it is possible to accurately acquire at least a portion of the information associated with the standard radiation source.

[0023] In the case of (8) above, the information acquisition unit acquires information from the identification medium provided on the standard radiation source selected as the detection target, so that at least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source can be accurately acquired.

[0024] In the case of (10) or (11) above, a proper calibration can be performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactivity measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation during calibration of the radioactivity measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactivity measuring device according to a first modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation during calibration of a radioactivity measuring device according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactivity measuring device according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation during calibration of a radioactivity measuring device according to a third modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] A radioactivity measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The radioactivity measuring device according to the embodiment measures the radioactivity of a radiation source that emits radiation such as gamma rays, X-rays, beta rays, alpha rays, and neutron rays. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactivity measuring device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the radioactivity measuring device 10 of the embodiment includes, for example, an identification medium 11, an information storage unit 12, an identification medium creation unit 13, an information reader 14, a radiation detector 15, a multiple pulse-height analyzer 16, and a processing device 17.

[0027] The identification medium 11 is provided in the standard radiation source S. The identification medium 11 is, for example, a one-dimensional code label, a matrix-type or stack-type two-dimensional code label, or an RF (Radio Frequency) tag such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag. The standard radiation source S includes various containers such as a so-called Marinelli container, a single-use so-called U8 container, a small sealed container such as a coin-type container, or a sample dish sealed with various films, and a radiation source filled or housed in the container.

[0028] The identification medium 11 has, for example, information associated with the standard radiation source S with which the identification medium 11 is provided. The information associated with the standard radiation source S is, for example, information required for predetermined processing such as calibration of the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16, among the information on the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12 described below. The information associated with the standard radiation source S includes, for example, information on the shape of the container in which the standard radiation source S is housed, a radiation source number related to the manufacturing number, etc., the name, concentration, emitted energy, half-life and emission rate of the nuclide contained in the standard radiation source S, dates and times related to the most recent date and time of radioactivity calibration and the reference date and time, and filling information related to the filling height in the container, etc.

[0029] The information storage unit 12 is, for example, a storage device or a server provided in the processing device 17 described later. The server is connected to the processing device 17 via, for example, a wired or wireless communication network. The communication network is, for example, the Internet, a mobile communication network, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). For example, the LAN is a wired LAN (Local Area Network) of a predetermined standard such as Ethernet, or a wireless LAN of various standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The information storage unit 12 stores, for example, information on each of a plurality of standard radiation sources S. The information on each standard radiation source S includes, for example, a radiation source code relating to the model etc. required for traceability, a radiation source number relating to the serial number etc., information on the shape etc. of the container in which the standard radiation source S is accommodated, the name, concentration, emitted energy, half-life and emission rate of the nuclide contained in the standard radiation source S, dates and times relating to the date and time of radioactivity calibration and the reference date and time etc., filling information relating to the filling height etc. in the container, and the mass.

[0030] The identification medium creation unit 13 is, for example, a printer that prints a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code label on the identification medium 11, or a so-called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader / writer that reads and writes to an RF tag, or a so-called RFID printer that writes data to an RF tag. The identification medium creation unit 13 writes, for example, information on the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12, at least information required for calibrating the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16, into the identification medium 11.

[0031] The information reader 14 is, for example, a code reader that reads a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code on the identification medium 11, or an RF reader that communicates with an RF tag. The information reader 14 acquires information associated with the standard radiation source S from the identification medium 11 that is provided in advance in the standard radiation source S, for example.

[0032] The radiation detector 15 detects various types of radiation, such as gamma rays, X-rays, beta rays, and alpha rays. The radiation detector 15 may be, for example, a semiconductor detector using a semiconductor such as germanium, silicon, or a compound semiconductor (such as GaAs or CdTe), or a scintillation detector using various scintillators, such as organic, inorganic, liquid, or gaseous. The radiation detector 15 of this embodiment is, for example, a germanium semiconductor detector equipped with a vertical cryostat. An end cap housing having a radiation entrance window is provided at the tip of the cryostat. A germanium crystal sensitive to radiation is held in the vacuum region inside the end cap housing. The sensitive portion of the radiation detector 15 and the detection target such as the standard radiation source S are disposed, for example, inside a shield (not shown). The shield has, for example, a box-like outer shape that surrounds the sensitive portion of the radiation detector 15 and the detection target. The detection target such as the standard radiation source S is disposed, for example, at a predetermined position appropriately separated from the sensitive portion of the radiation detector 15. The shield is formed, for example, from a radiation-shielding material such as lead or tungsten.

[0033] The multi-pulse-height analyzer 16 is an MCA (Multi Channel Analyzer). The multi-pulse-height analyzer 16 calculates the pulse-height distribution of the output signal pulse (detection data) output from the radiation detector 15, that is, the count values ​​for each of the multiple channels associated with the pulse-height values. For example, when the radiation detector 15 outputs an output signal pulse having a pulse-height value corresponding to the energy of the radiation, the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16 creates an energy spectrum (spectral data) as the pulse-height distribution of the output signal pulse from the radiation detector 15.

[0034] The processing device 17 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. A part of the processing device 17 includes a software function unit that functions when a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes a predetermined program. The software function unit is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that includes a processor such as a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data, and electronic circuits such as a timer. Note that a part of the processing device 17 may include an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration).

[0035] The processing device 17 comprehensively controls the operations of the radiation detector 15, the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, and auxiliary devices such as a sample changer, etc. The processing device 17 performs processes such as calibration and inspection of the radiation detector 15 and the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, spectral analysis, and nuclide analysis, based on the energy spectrum of the radiation generated by the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, for example. The processing device 17 includes an input unit 18 such as a touch panel that outputs signals according to input operations by an operator, various switches, or a keyboard, etc. The processing device 17 also includes an output unit 19 such as a display device that displays various information and data, and a speaker that outputs various sounds, etc.

[0036] The processing device 17 performs analysis and interpretation of the spectral data output from the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, for example, based on information associated with the standard radiation source S acquired by the information reader 14, and calibrates the radiation detector 15 and the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16.

[0037] The operation of the radioactivity measuring device 10 of the embodiment will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the radioactivity measuring device 10 according to the embodiment during calibration. As shown in FIG. 2, first, the processing device 17 controls, for example, a sample changer or the like to place the standard radiation source S at a predetermined position within the shield as a detection target for the radiation detector 15 (step S01). Next, the processing device 17 acquires information associated with the standard radiation source S from the identification medium 11 using the information reader 14 (step S02). Next, the processing device 17 determines whether the standard radiation source S is valid or not based on, for example, information on the date and time related to radioactivity calibration among the information acquired from the identification medium 11 (step S03). If the result of this determination is "NO" because, for example, the date and time at which radioactivity calibration was performed is before a predetermined date and time, the processing device 17 proceeds to step S04. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is "YES", the processing device 17 proceeds to step S05.

[0038] Then, the processing device 17 notifies the operator that the standard radiation source S is not valid (step S04), and the process proceeds to the end. Furthermore, the processing device 17 performs measurement of the standard radiation source S using the radiation detector 15 (step S05). Next, the processing device 17 analyzes and interprets the spectral data output from the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 based on information acquired from the identification medium 11, for example, information associated with the standard radiation source S. The processing device 17 creates calibration data for calibrating the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 (step S06). Then, the processing device 17 advances the process to the end.

[0039] As described above, according to the radioactivity measuring device 10 of the embodiment, it is possible to obtain information associated with the standard radiation source S in accordance with the information obtained from the identification medium 11 by the information reading unit 14, without requiring an operator to input information, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in work efficiency and an increase in work time when calibrating the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 that use the standard radiation source S. At least a portion of the information associated with the standard radiation source S is obtained from the identification medium 11 by the information reading unit 14, eliminating the need to refer to the information storage unit 12 and improving work efficiency during calibration using the standard radiation source S. Since the output unit 19 is provided to notify the operator that the standard radiation source S is not valid, it is possible to prevent the reliability of calibration from being reduced due to, for example, an expired or soon-to-be expired standard radiation source S.

[0040] (Variation) Modifications of the embodiment will be described below. Note that the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified. In the above-described embodiment, the identification medium 11 has, as information associated with the standard radiation source S, information required for calibrating the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 from the information on the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12, but is not limited to this. For example, the identification medium 11 only needs to have, as information associated with the standard radiation source S, at least identification information unique to the standard radiation source S.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactivity measuring device 10A according to a first modified example of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3 , the identification medium 11 of the radioactivity measuring device 10A according to the first modification has at least identification information unique to the standard radiation source S as information associated with the standard radiation source S. The identification information of the standard radiation source S is, for example, information required to identify each piece of information on the multiple standard radiation sources S stored in the information storage unit 12. The identification information unique to each of the multiple standard radiation sources S is set so that it does not overlap with each other among the multiple standard radiation sources S. The identification information unique to each standard radiation source S is, for example, identification information set by a single piece of information, such as a hash value based on all of the information on the multiple standard radiation sources S stored in the information storage unit 12, or identification information set by a combination of several pieces of information on the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12. For example, the combination of multiple pieces of information constituting the identification information is a combination of information on the shape of the container, etc., and a radiation source number related to the serial number, etc. The information storage unit 12 of the radioactivity measuring device 10A according to the first modification may store the identification information unique to each standard radiation source S as the information on each standard radiation source S.

[0042] The processing device 17A of the first modified example includes, for example, a calculation unit 21 and a control unit 22. The calculation unit 21 performs processes such as calibration and inspection of the radiation detector 15 and the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, spectrum analysis, and nuclide analysis, based on the radiation energy spectrum generated by the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16. The control unit 22 comprehensively controls the operations of the radiation detector 15, the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, and auxiliary devices such as a sample changer.

[0043] The calculation unit 21 analyzes the spectral data output from the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, for example, based on the information associated with the standard radiation source S and the information on the standard radiation source S obtained from the control unit 22, and calibrates the radiation detector 15 and the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16. The information associated with the standard radiation source S obtained from the control unit 22 is, for example, information obtained by the information reader 14 and then obtained by the control unit 22 from the information reader 14. The information on the standard radiation source S obtained from the control unit 22 is, for example, information required for predetermined processing, such as calibration of the radiation detector 15 and the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16, from the information on the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12. For example, in accordance with identification information of an appropriate standard radiation source S obtained from the information reader 14, the control unit 22 obtains, from the information storage unit 12, information associated with the appropriate identification information from among the information on the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12.

[0044] The operation of the radioactivity measuring apparatus 10A according to the first modified example of the embodiment will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation during calibration of the radioactivity measuring device 10A according to the first modified example of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the processing device 17A controls, for example, a sample changer or the like to install the standard radiation source S at a predetermined position within the shield as a measurement target for the radiation detector 15 (step S11). Next, the processing device 17A acquires, from the identification medium 11 by the information reader 14, identification information unique to the standard radiation source S as information associated with the standard radiation source S (step S12). Next, the processing device 17A identifies information associated with the acquired identification information from among the information on the multiple standard radiation sources S stored in the information storage unit 12, according to the identification information unique to the standard radiation source S (step S13). Next, the processing device 17A acquires, from the information storage unit 12, information on the standard radiation source S associated with the identification information acquired from the information reader 14 (step S14). Next, the processing device 17A determines whether the standard radiation source S is valid or not based on, for example, information on the date and time related to radioactivity calibration among the information acquired from the information storage unit 12 (step S15). If the determination result is "NO" because, for example, the date and time at which radioactivity calibration was performed is before a predetermined date and time, the processing device 17A advances the process to step S16. On the other hand, if the determination result is "YES", the processing device 17A advances the process to step S17.

[0045] Then, the processing device 17A notifies the operator that the standard radiation source S is not valid (step S16), and the processing proceeds to the end. Furthermore, the processing device 17A performs measurement of the standard radiation source S using the radiation detector 15 (step S17). Next, the processing device 17A analyzes and interprets the spectral data output from the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 based on information acquired from the information storage unit 12, for example, information associated with the standard radiation source S. The processing device 17A creates calibration data for calibrating the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 (step S18). The processing device 17A then advances the process to END.

[0046] According to the first modification, the identification medium 11 includes at least the identification information of the standard radiation source S, which makes it possible to prevent an increase in the amount of information in the identification medium 11. At least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source S is acquired from the information storage unit 12. Therefore, even if, for example, the information in the information storage unit 12 has been updated or changed, it is possible to acquire accurate information associated with the standard radiation source S.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the information reader 14 may acquire information from the identification medium 11 when, for example, a standard radiation source S to be detected is selected from among a plurality of standard radiation sources S. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactivity measuring apparatus 10B according to a second modified example of the embodiment. The radioactivity measuring device 10B according to the second modification includes, for example, a detection object exchanger 31 equipped with an information reader 14. The detection target changer 31 is, for example, a so-called sample changer, and includes a transport mechanism such as a belt conveyor that transports a plurality of standard radiation sources S, an exchange mechanism such as a robot arm that selects and exchanges a standard radiation source S to be detected from the plurality of standard radiation sources S, and an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the door of the shield. The detection target changer 31 operates automatically, for example, under the control of the control unit 22. The information reader 14 acquires information from the identification medium 11, for example, when the standard radiation source S to be detected is replaced by the detection object replacer 31.

[0048] According to the second modification, the information reading unit 14 acquires information from the identification medium 11 provided in the standard radiation source S selected as the detection target, and therefore, at least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source S can be accurately acquired.

[0049] In the first modified example of the embodiment described above, information associated with the acquired identification information from among the multiple pieces of information about the standard radiation source S stored in the information storage unit 12 is identified in accordance with the identification information unique to the standard radiation source S. However, this is not limiting. For example, if the information in the information storage unit 12 cannot be identified using only the identification information unique to the standard radiation source S, the information in the information storage unit 12 may be identified by actually measuring the standard radiation source S. The identification information unique to the standard radiation source S is, for example, identification information formed by combining information about the shape of the container and the like with the radiation source number, etc. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation during calibration of the radioactivity measuring apparatus 10A according to the third modified example of the embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, first, the processing device 17A installs the standard radiation source S at a predetermined position within the shield as a measurement target for the radiation detector 15, for example, by controlling a sample changer or the like (step S21). Next, the processing device 17A acquires, from the identification medium 11 by the information reader 14, identification information unique to the standard radiation source S as information associated with the standard radiation source S (step S22). Next, the processing device 17A determines whether or not information associated with the acquired identification information has been identified from the information on the multiple standard radiation sources S stored in the information storage unit 12, according to the identification information unique to the standard radiation source S (step S23). If the result of this determination is "NO", the processing device 17A proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is "YES", the processing device 17A proceeds to step S28.

[0051] Next, the processing device 17A performs measurement (for identifying the radiation source) on the standard radiation source S using the radiation detector 15 (step S24). Next, the processing device 17A analyzes and interprets the spectral data output from the multi-pulse-height analyzer 16 (step S25). The processing device 17A acquires, for example, information such as the name of the detected nuclide and the counting rate according to the radioactivity from the spectral data. Next, the processing device 17A determines whether or not information associated with the analysis result and the obtained identification information has been identified from the information of the multiple standard radiation sources S stored in the information storage unit 12, based on the identification information obtained from the information reader 14 and the results of the analysis of the spectral data (step S26). If the result of this determination is "NO", the processing device 17A proceeds to step S27. Then, the processing device 17A notifies the operator that the standard radiation source S cannot be identified (step S27), and proceeds to end the process. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is "YES", the processing device 17A proceeds to step S28.

[0052] Next, the processing device 17A acquires, from the information storage unit 12, information on the standard radiation source S associated with the identification information acquired from the information reader 14 (step S28). Next, the processing device 17A determines whether the standard radiation source S is valid or not based on, for example, information on the date and time related to the radioactivity calibration among the information acquired from the information storage unit 12 (step S29). If the determination result is "NO" because, for example, the date and time at which radioactivity calibration was performed is before a predetermined date and time, the processing device 17A advances the process to step S27. On the other hand, if the determination result is "YES", the processing device 17A advances the process to step S30.

[0053] Then, the processing device 17A notifies the operator that the standard radiation source S is not valid (step S27), and the processing proceeds to the end. The processing device 17A also measures (for calibration) the standard radiation source S using the radiation detector 15. is executed (step S30). Next, the processing device 17A analyzes the spectral data output from the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 based on information acquired from the information storage unit 12, for example, information associated with the standard radiation source S. The processing device 17A creates calibration data for calibrating the radiation detector 15 and the multiple pulse-height analyzer 16 (step S31). Then, the processing device 17A advances the processing to the end.

[0054] In the process shown in FIG. 6, two measurements are performed: the measurement in step S24 (for identifying the radiation source) and the measurement in step S30 (for calibration). However, this is not limited to this; for example, after the measurement in step S24 is performed, the measurement in step S30 (for calibration) may be omitted. According to the third variant, even in cases where the standard radiation source S cannot be identified based solely on the information acquired from the identification medium 11 by the information reading unit 14, it is possible to accurately acquire at least a portion of the information associated with the standard radiation source S.

[0055] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10, 10A, 10B...radioactivity measuring device, 11...identification medium, 12...information storage unit, 13...identification medium creation unit, 14...information reader, 15...radiation detector, 16...multiple pulse height analyzer, 17, 17A...processing device, 18...input unit, 19...output unit, 21...calculation unit, 22...control unit, 31...detection target exchanger, S...standard radiation source.

Claims

1. an identification medium provided on the standard source; a storage unit that stores information about the standard radiation source; an information acquisition unit that acquires information contained in the identification medium; a processing unit that acquires at least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source from the information in the storage unit according to the information acquired from the identification medium by the information acquisition unit; Equipped with Radioactivity measuring device.

2. the identification medium includes at least a part of information associated with the standard radiation source among the information in the storage unit; The processing unit acquires at least a part of information associated with the standard radiation source from the identification medium using the information acquisition unit. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 1 .

3. the identification medium includes at least identification information of the standard radiation source; The processing unit acquires at least a part of information associated with the standard radiation source from the storage unit in accordance with the identification information acquired from the identification medium by the information acquisition unit. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 1 .

4. a notification unit that notifies an operator; The processing unit The notification unit notifies an operator of a determination result obtained by determining whether or not the standard radiation source is valid based on the information acquired from the information acquisition unit. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 1 .

5. a multi-pulse height analyzer controlled by the processing unit; The radioactivity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a radiation detector for detecting radiation emitted from the standard radiation source; The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 5.

7. The processing unit information acquired from the information acquisition unit; and acquiring at least a part of the information associated with the standard radiation source from the information in the storage unit based on an analysis result obtained by analyzing the spectrum data output from the multi-pulse-height analyzer based on the detection signal output from the radiation detector. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 6.

8. an exchanger that exchanges the standard radiation source to be detected by the radiation detector from among the plurality of standard radiation sources; The information acquisition unit acquires information from the identification medium provided in the standard radiation source selected by the exchanger as a detection target for the radiation detector. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 6.

9. The radiation detector is a semiconductor detector or a scintillation detector. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 6.

10. The information on the standard radiation source in the storage unit includes at least the name and concentration of the nuclide contained in the standard radiation source, the date and time of radioactivity calibration, information on the container in which the standard radiation source is stored, information on filling in the container, and information on the serial number. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 1 .

11. The information associated with the standard radiation source includes at least information about the container and information about the serial number. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 10.

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