Use of daily detector verification data for isotopical half-life determination

In this work, the possibility of using data fromthe daily detector verification routines performed at the Neutron Activation Laboratory of IPEN to determine precise values for the half-lives of {sup 57}Co and {sup 60}Co was evaluated. For this purpose data from 4 of the laboratory's detectors, some spanning for more than 9 years, were inspected, separated in consistent groups, and then analyzed using a robust least-squares fit procedure in order to determine the half-lives. The results allowed for a discussion on the possibilities and limitations of the use of these data for the determination of half-lives.