Nuclear lifetime measurements using loaded scintillators

Abstract The use of scintillators loaded with radioactive isotopes in delayed coincidence measurements is discussed. The feasibility of the principle is illustrated by a measurement of the half-life of the 5 2 + , 86.6 keV level of 233 Pa. A half-life of (35.6 ± 0.7) ns was obtained in excellent agreement with previous determinations. The use of pulse shape discrimination to eliminate background is also discussed.