Cocktails for Liquid Scintillation Counting

It is most important to assure 4 π−geometry in liquid scintillation counting for accurate results1. Usually this can be assured by dissolution of the sample in an appropriate cocktail. The cocktail does not only contain a solvent but also at least one scintillator and surfactants for aqueous samples because aqueous samples are completely insoluble in the pure organic solvents and scintillators. Depending on the sample preparation and the type of sample the decision for a special cocktail can be a very important one. Only an optimized cocktail in combination with the best sample preparation guarantees accurate and reproducible results. Parameters such as counting efficiency, sample uptake capacity, flash point, uptake of buffer solutions etc. are mainly influenced by the cocktail. Today’s cocktails for liquid scintillation counting are subdivided into two major groups, so called “classical” and “safer” cocktails. Cocktails for Liquid Scintillation Counting A P P L I C A T I O N N O T E