Consistency test of coincidence-summing calculation methods for extended sources

An internal consistency test of the calculation of coincidence-summing correction factors FC for volume sources is presented. The test is based on exact equations relating the values of FC calculated for three ideal measurement configurations. The test is applied to a number of 33 sets of FC values sent by 21 teams. Most sets passed the test, but not the results obtained using the quasi-point source approximation; in the latter case the test qualitatively indicated the magnitude of the bias of FC. •A self-consistency test of coincidence summing calculations is presented.•It is based on equations relating FC values for 3 ideal volume geometries.•Can be easily applied in any laboratory for checking the quality of FC software.•33 sets of FC values (various computations) for 60Co, 133Ba, 134Cs, 152Eu evaluated.•Inconsistency and bias of FC based on quasi-point source approximation revealed.