The Importance of Nuclear Standards. Nuclear Metrology for Research, Applications and Impact

¹ School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
² Medical, Marine and Nuclear Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK
³ AWE, Aldermaston, Reading Berkshire, RG7 4PR, UK

^* e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 13 May 2026

Abstract

This short conference contribution presents a review of some recent advances in radionuclide metrology at the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Particular examples include the development of novel methodologies which allow new levels of precision and measurement limits for (i) the activity and isotopic identification of radioactive gases as a proxy for real-time nuclear reactor criticality monitoring; (ii) precise ground state radioactive decay half-life determinations required for the primary standardization of pre-clinical radiopharmaceuticals and (iii) the development of a novel gamma-ray digitial coincidence counting infrastructure using CeBr₃ fast-timing scintillation detectors. These projects generate and use precision nuclear physics data and also contribute to external studies related to specific aspects of nuclear structure physics research, including studies of nuclear pairing modes, stellar nucleosynthesis, angular momentum generation in nuclear fission and extremes of nuclear collectivity. This contribution presents a review of recent advances in radionuclide metrology at the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL), together with future aims and aspirations.