A method for bulk hydrogen analysis based on transmission and back scattering of fast neutrons

A method was proposed for bulk hydrogen analysis. It is based on simultaneous detection of transmitted fast neutrons and back scattered thermal neutrons from the investigated samples by ³He detectors. The fast neutron beams were obtained from ²⁵²Cf and Pu–Be neutron sources. The experimental set-up as well as samples preparation were described. Incident thermal neutrons beams obtained from either ²⁵²Cf or Pu–Be sources, were used to investigate the samples by neutron backscattering. The results obtained from transmission and backscattering of fast neutrons were compared and discussed. The advantage and capabilities of the proposed method were presented. The results obtained using fast neutron beams are more sensitive than those obtained using thermal neutron beams. Validation procedures were proposed to credit the results.     

The operator dose assessment of landmine detection systems using the neutron backscattering method

Personal safety issue is one of the major limitations in landmine detection by nuclear techniques. In this paper, the dose rate received by the operator of different hand-held landmine detection systems using the neutron backscattering method was investigated. Monte Carlo method was used to simulate a computational model of the body, instruments with different shielding configurations and soil with various moisture contents. The effective dose received by the different organs of the operator has been estimated by using two different approximation methods including average equivalent dose and dose equivalent assessment. The results obtained by these two methods were compared. The common results showed that the operator dose rate depends on the facility shielding, soil moisture level, and source-to-operator distance. Also, although the absorbed dose received by most organs generally decreases as a function of source to operator distance, for some organs such as kidneys and lungs it firstly increases when source-to-operator distance increases up to 0.7–1.2 m and after that the absorbed dose decreases. Furthermore, the results showed that the effective dose received by the operator has its maximum value when the source to operator distance is 0.60 m.     

A preliminary screening technique for selected metals at waste sites

Fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA) was investigated as a possible on-site preliminary screening technique for metal contamination of soil. Two metals, Cu and Zn, were used in a laboratory setting to evaluate the possibility of detecting metal contamination of soil at or below the maximum permissible metal concentration in soil. Varying quantities of compounds of the selected metals were mixed into a prepared soil column for analysis of signal intensity as a function of concentration in the soil. Experiments were conducted with a sealed tube neutron generator and a germanium gamma-ray detector. Both metals produced signal levels distinguishable from background soil concentrations at the maximum permissible level.     

Evaluation of soil to tea plant elemental correlation using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis using relative and k ₀-based internal monostandard methods were employed for determination of concentrations of 12 elements in soil and tea plants collected from three different tea producing regions in India namely Assam, Darjeeling and Kangra. A total of 17 tea leaf samples along with corresponding soil samples were analyzed for elemental content. The obtained concentration data was used for the soil–plant elemental correlation studies. Positive correlation was observed between elemental concentrations of tea plants and the associated soil with Pearson correlation coefficient values in the range 0.6–0.9 for ten elements. Variations in transfer factor values were also observed according to the geo-chemical variation.     

New determination method of the neutron diffraction system resolution at the Algerian Es-Salam research reactor

The aim of this article is to determine the resolution of the neutron diffraction system (NDS) installed around the Algerian Es Salam research reactor. By using a new method based on neutron radiography technique we have measured the beam divergence at the exit of Soller Collimator (α₂) and hence determine effective collimations. The determination of the adequate resolution of our NDS is performed on experimental results obtained from neutron diffraction patterns for different collimation divergences (α₂) and (α₃) values obtained from several apertures sizes (S ₂) and (S ₃).     

The potential effect of microbial activity on the uptake of elements studied by exploratory multivariate analysis of data obtained by INAA

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine concentrationsof 28 elements in soil, roots and leaves of wheat seedlings. To enhance theuptake of the elements, wheat seeds were treated by bacteria Cellulomas sp.32. In addition, a small amount of CaCl₂ was added to the soil.The micro-organisms affected uptake of nutrients in such a way as to increaseconcentrations of elements both in roots and leaves of plants. As a result,elemental composition of soil in rhizoshpere zone was also changed. On theother hand, there was no important variation found in element uptake afteraddition of Ca to the soil.     

How to calculate uncertainties of neutron flux parameters and uncertainties of analysis results in k0-NAA?

A novel method is presented for the calculation of uncertainties of neutron flux parameters and element mass fractions and their uncertainties in k₀-neutron activation analysis (k₀-NAA) using the Kragten universally applicable spreadsheet technique. The results obtained are compared with other approaches for evaluation of uncertainties of the neutron flux parameters and element mass fractions, namely with the Kayzero for Windows, k0-IAEA and ERON programs. The differences observed are discussed in terms of how the above programs take into account various uncertainty sources and their correlations.     

Separation of uranium from solid (U,Pu, Ag) oxide analytical waste: effect of batch size and nitric acid molarity

This work presents the investigation of some commercially available and commonly used Si₃N₄ foils prepared with LPCVD technique. The density and the stoichiometry of these films were determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and profilometry, while the study of impurities was achieved with particle induced X-ray emission method. It was found that the density of the studied Si₃N₄ films is significantly less (~2.71 g cm^?3), while the stoichiometry is close to the values of the bulk material. The results were verified by measuring the ion energy loss through the films by scanning transmission ion microscopy.     

Viscosity reduction in polymer nanocomposites: Insights from dynamic neutron and X-ray scattering

The addition of nanoparticles to a polymer matrix can in certain cases induce a reduction in viscosity, with respect to the pure matrix, in the resulting composites. This counterintuitive phenomenon cannot be explained using the most common rheological models. For this reason, it has been chosen as a good example in this paper to demonstrate the value and methods of dynamic X-ray and neutron scattering techniques for the investigation of polymer nanocomposites. An overview of the main results on this topic is presented together with an introduction to the basic concepts relating to X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, neutron backscattering, and neutron spin echo measurements.     

Work place air particulate monitoring of automobile workshops for public health and safety

Twenty-eight pairs of coarse and fine air particulate samples were collected in front of an automotive workshop located at Tasmasipabad on Chaklala Road in Rawalpindi using a Gent sampler and polycarbonate filters. These samples were collected during the period; 7th to 27th of April 2009. The gravimetric data (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) were obtained for these samples and were found to exceed the Pakistani standards. Black carbon (BC) was also determined using reflectance measurements and it was found that BC contributed significantly more to the fine mass than to the coarse fraction; i.e. ~10 to ~3 %, respectively. This is not surprising as soot is emitted by combustion processes and is usually found in the fine particulate mass. Using instrumental neutron activation analysis technique all 28 pairs of filters were analyzed for >30 elements. Major elements, in the coarse mass fraction, include Al, K, Fe, Sr, Na, and Zn implying soil as the major source while BC was found to be a higher contributor of PM_2.5. An episode of high PM_2.5 was observed on the 18th of April 2009. Back trajectory analysis showed that the air mass originated from the Middle East where a dust storm was in progress over Iraq.     

Neutron Compton scattering investigation of sodium hydride: from bulk material to encapsulated nanoparticulates in amorphous silica gel

In this study we utilize neutron Compton scattering (NCS) to determine differences in nuclear momentum distributions in NaH, both as bulk material and encapsulated as nanoscale particles (from 20 to 50 nm in diameter) within an amorphous silica-gel matrix (SiGNaH). In addition, elemental Na dispersed in such a matrix is also studied (SiGNa). Data treatment and fitting of experimental spectra yields comparison of the nuclear Compton profiles and radial momentum distributions for the proton in both bulk NaH and nanoscale SiGNaH, with resultant proton kinetic energies being in agreement with previous inelastic neutron studies of bulk NaH. Slight differences in proton radial momentum distributions for bulk and nanoscale systems are witnessed and discussed. The technique of stoichiometric-fixing is applied to the backscattering spectra of each system in order to examine changes in the Na profile width, and NCS is shown to be sensitive to the chemical environment change of this heavier nucleus. Examination of the Si and O profile widths in the gel samples also supports this method.     

Determination of tungsten in ores by X-ray fluorescence technique and X-rays in neutron activation analysis

Two distinct analytical methods have been described for analysis of W in tungsten ores. For the proposed study, thick and thin samples were analyzed by using X-ray fluorescence technique with great accuracy. Standard comparison method is based on the measurement of K line for tungsten. Also, W has been determined in similar ore samples by neutron activation analysis followed by X-ray spectrometry employing a²³⁸Pu-Be neutron source. The measured Re K-X rays are emitted in internal conversion of¹³⁷W produced during thermal neutron activation.     

Multi-element analysis of soil from the north-western region of India by neutron activation analysis using the single comparator method with special reference to selenium toxicity

The single comparator (k₀) instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was employed to determine the elemental composition of soil from the north-western region of India. The radiometric assay was carried out using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Seventeen elements were detected including selenium whose concentration was found to be in the range of 1.02 to 6.79 mg/g.     

Implementing the electron backscattering factor in quantitative sputter depth profiling using AES

Sputter depth profiling using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is influenced by the electron backscattering contribution to the AES intensity. When approaching an interface between two components having a different backscattering factor, the shape of the profile is characteristically distorted. This distortion is taken into account in a modified version of the mixing‐roughness‐information depth (MRI) model. The modification is based on the simplified assumption that the influence of the backscattering effect of the component below the interface increases exponentially with decreasing distance of the actual surface to the interface. Application of the modified MRI model is shown to yield excellent results of profile calculation for AES depth profiling of Si/W, C/Ta, C/Ti, and Au/TiO₂ interfaces, with backscattering factor ratios close to those predicted by the Ichimura–Shimizu relation. A simple correction of the backscattering influence is proposed and discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neutron activation analysis of reference materials by the k0-standardization and relative methods

Instrumental neutron activation analysis with the k₀-standardization method was applied to eight geological, environmental and biological reference materials, including leaves, blood, fish, sediments, soil and limestone. To a first approximation, the results were normally distributed around the certified values with a standard deviation of 10%. Results obtained by using the relative method based on well characterized multi-element standards for IAEA CRM Soil-7 are reported.     

Study of Thin Films of High Temperature Superconductors Based on YBaCuO by EPMA

 An analytical model of an effective atomic number, Z _eff, for simultaneous calculation of composition and thickness of films on substrates that allows for backscattering processes is presented. Comparison of dependencies of ϕ(ρz) parameters for film elements on electron beam energy, on atomic numbers of a film and a substrate and on film thickness was done. The errors inherent in EPMA have been determined by comparing experimental data obtained on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x bulk crystals with model calculations. Possibility of EPMA as an effective technique for investigation of spatially inhomogeneous objects was demonstrated by studying the correlation between composition and local superconducting properties (values of critical temperature and critical current) of these films.     

Investigations on the comparator technique used in epithermal neutron activation analysis

The possible extension of the comparator technique of reactor neutron activation analysis into the field of epithermal neutron activation has been investigated. Ruthenium was used for multi-isotopic comparator. Experiments show that conversion of the so-called reference k-factors—determined by irradiation with reactor neutrons—into k_epi-factors usable at activation under cadmium filter, can be evaluated with fair accuracy. Sources and extent of errors and their contribution to the final error of analysis are discussed. Based on the paper presented at the 2nd European Conference on Analytical Chemistry, 25–30 August, 1975, Budapest, Hungary.     

Iron Quadrangle, Brazil: Elemental concentration determined by k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis

Summary The Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil, is rich in mineral occurrences and is considered one of the richest mineral-bearing regions in the world. Most investigations in this region have dealt with the determination of arsenic and mercury but so far few studies have been carried out aiming at determining other important elements. Having in mind the potential risk caused by mineral activities, this study was developed in order to assess the potential influence of the soil on foodstuffs. The soil samples were collected from three sites inside and outside the Iron Quadrangle. The samples were analyzed at the Laboratory for Neutron Activation Analysis, CDTN/CNEN by the k₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis. This paper reports the elemental concentration determined in soil and emphasises the elements cited in the Brazilian environmental legislation for soil. This work also confirms the high elemental concentration of several minerals, however, it is difficult to distinguish the contamination from anthropogenic activities from the natural occurrence.     

Structural properties of CeRh3B2

Time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data have been obtained for the intermetallic compound CeRh₃B₂ at four different temperatures and analyzed using the Rietveld profile refinement technique. The CeCo₃B₂ structure is confirmed. The thermal expansion is highly anisotropic and anisotropic effects are also found in the atomic thermal vibrations. An unusually small metallic radius of 1.55 Å is observed for cerium in this compound.     

Determination of the ratio of the hydrogen and manganese absorption cross sections by the manganese bath technique

The ratio of the hydrogen and manganese neutron absorption cross sections, _H/_Mn, is a most important parameter in the determination of radioactive neutron source strength by the manganese bath technique. The ratio is well measured by observing the change in⁵⁶Mn activity induced in the manganese bath by a fixed neutron source as the manganese concentration of the bath is changed. In the present study, the neutron source was a Maxwellian beam from²⁵²Cf. Concentrations were determined by the two methods: volumetric and gravimetric. The cross section ratio has turned out to be _H/_Mn=0.02506.