Measurement of the Energy Spectrum of 60Ni Recoils following 60Co Decay Using Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence

Abstract

The energy spectrum of 6�Ni recoils from 60Co fJ decay in a vapour CoBr2 source has been studied by measuring the profile of the 1� 33 MeV y rays emitted by 6�Ni. The profile was deduced from the measured cross sections for resonance scattering of the 1� 33 MeV y rays in coincidence with the preceding 1�17 MeV y rays. The results show fair agreement with the profile calculated for free 60Co atoms. The influence of molecular Coulomb fragmentation and chemical binding are discussed.