Determination of the number of atoms of the long-lived nuclide ¹²⁶ Sn by γ-ray spectrometry

By using HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, the activity of the long-lived fission product 126Sn in a SnOB2 sample was measured. The number of 126Sn atoms and the ratio of 126Sn to Sn were calculated based on the half-life value of 2.35×105a and the chemical stoichiometry. The result of the ratio of 126Sn to Sn, (1.033±0.037)×10−8, is consistent with the results measured by the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) within uncertainty limits, which confirms our procedures in the measurement of 126Sn by AMS and lays a foundation for the AMS measurement of 126Sn at much lower levels.