Have you ever wanted to make gold radioactive, and ultimately turn into something less valuable (say, mercury)? Of course you have...if your name is Auric Goldfinger, and if the gold in question belongs to the government! Working on a much more restrained scale, this video briefly explores the production of radioactive Au-198 by neutron capture on stable Au-197 in a gold coin, and then we look at the gamma rays from the produced Au-198 decaying to Hg-198 on a high-resolution germanium gamma spectrometer. Setup of the neutron source and coin took place six days in advance of the experiment shown in order to bring the produced Au-198 activity close to saturation (it has a 2.7-day half life). The coin is counted on the HPGe detector for one hour. I briefly show and discuss the features of the spectrum, particularly the 411-keV gamma ray released as gold undergoes beta decay to mercury. This experiment is trivial to do in a well-equipped laboratory setting, but a little more challenging to do at home as you see here. A similar toy neutron source can be assembled by renting a Nuclespot polonium static eliminator (no NRC specific license required) and putting it against a piece of beryllium. Lastly, please excuse the mess in my home! Snotty comments about hygiene in my kitchen, etc. WILL BE PURGED!

• published: 21 May 2015
• views: 47