Design, optimization and calibration of an automated density gauge for firn and ice cores

作者：Breton Daniel J^*; Hamilton Gordon S; Hess C T

来源：Journal of Glaciology, 2009, 55(194): 1092-1100.

DOI：10.3189/002214309790794841

A gamma-ray density gauge can provide high-resolution and high-precision density measurements of firn and ice cores. This study describes the design, gamma-ray energy optimization and mass attenuation coefficient calibration of the Maine Automated Density Gauge Experiment (MADGE), a portable, field-operable gamma-ray density gauge used on overland traverses in East Antarctica. The MADGE instrument uses a (241)Am gamma-ray source, a pulse-mode counting system and electronic core diameter calipers to collect high-precision ( /- 0.004 g cm(-3)) density data from 3-8 cm diameter firn and ice cores. The data are collected at a 3.3 mm spatial resolution and an average throughput of 1.5 m h(-1) for 5 cm diameter cores.

• 出版日期2009