Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of gamma-ray spectra in activation analysis

A method is presented for the automatic identification of the elements present in a sample and the calculation of the corresponding concentrations from the energies and peak areas determined by a spectrum analysis computer program. A preliminary interpretation list is produced in which the possible isotopes are given for each peak in the spectrum. This list is based only on the gamma-ray energies and half-lives of the isotopes. A careful analysis of this list yields groups of identified elements at four different significance levels. The determination of the corresponding concentration is based on the single-comparator method. The procedure is included in an automatic activation analysis system but can also be used separately.     

Automatic activation analysis

Automatic activation analysis (AAA) is rendered possible by a unique neutron activation analysis facility for short-lived isomeric transitions based on a fast rabbit system with sample changer and sample separation, and an adaptive digital gamma-spectrometer for very high counting rates of up to 10⁶ cps. The system is controlled by a computer program performing irradiation control, neutron flux monitoring, and gamma-spectrometry with real-time correction of counting losses, spectra evaluation, nuclide identification and calculation of concentrations in a fully automatic procedure. As spectrometry is done by means of hundreds of sequentially measured pairs of concurrently recorded loss-corrected and non-corrected spectra, concentrations are derived from an optimally weighted average of all individual occurrences in this sequence of spectra which also enable the separation of isomeric transitions with coinciding energies but different half-lives such as ^116m2In (162.4 keV, T _1/2 = 2.2 s) and ^77mSe (162.2 keV, T _1/2 = 17.4 s). To clear up repeatedly voiced misconceptions concerning the errors of loss-free counting our findings of 1978 and 1981 are reiterated, namely that the counting error of a peak in a corrected spectrum may be derived consistently from the error of the same peak in the respective non-corrected spectrum and from the error of weighting factors in the corresponding region of interest, according to the principle of propagation of errors. Experimental proof is provided for conditions of stationary as well as rapidly varying counting rates and spectral shapes. To the memory of Vincent P. Guinn.     

Facility for non-destructive analysis for major and trace elements using neutron-capture gamma-ray spectrometry

A facility for neutron-capture γ-ray spectroscopy for analytical purposes has been developed and tested at the National Bureau of Standards reactor. The system consists of an internal beam tube with collimators, an external beam tube and irradiation station, a Compton-suppressed Ge(Li) γ-ray detection system, and a minicomputer-based data-collection and-analysis system. Detection limits have been established for many elements and errors arising from neutron self shielding, γ-ray peak overlap, neutron beam variations, and sample matrix evaluated.     

Determination of aluminium and sodium in tungsten by non-destructive activation analysis

The sodium and aluminium content of tungsten has been measured by thermal neutron activation analysis. The concentration of aluminium was evaluated from the 1.78 MeV, and that of sodium from the 2.76 MeV full energy peaks. The minimum detectable concentrations of impurities were 0.04 microg of aluminium and 0.07 microg of sodium per 100 mg of tungsten.     

CAMAC-based instrumentation for a non-destructive neutron activation analysis system

The measuring system described in this paper, developed for non-destructive neutron activation analysis, consists of a semiconductor detector gamma-ray spectrometer and a sample changer coupled to a PDP-9 computer via a CAMAC interface system. CAMAC modules implemented in this system are an ADC interface, a sample changer control, display unit, a timer and a time-of-the-year clock. The spectra are accumulated in a section of the computer memory. The computer is further used for experiment control and for the analysis and interpretation of the measured gamma-ray spectra.     

A study of short-lived isotopes for use in non-destructive activation analysis

In order to obtain reliable data about short-lived isotopes for use in thermal neutron activation analysis, experiments have been carried out using a fast rabbit transfer system. Half-lives of 28 short-living isotopes have been measured by using a counting system with a fixed dead-time. A Ge(Li) spectrometry system was used to determine the most important γ-ray energies and intensities of these isotopes. For the half-lives an accuracy of better than 1% was attained, while for the γ-ray energies the accuracy was 0.1 keV.     

Development of a non-destructive isotopic analysis method by gamma-ray emission measurement after negative muon irradiation

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Variations in isotopic abundance provide useful information for various scientific fields. Herein we performed a feasibility study by...     

A new system of gamma-ray spectrometry for activation analysis

A new system of γ-ray spectrometry has been designed and constructed. This system performs a precise, quick and automatic activation analysis using our nuclear reactor (TRIGA-II Research Reactor) as a neutron source. The main components are detector system consisted of a high resolution Ge(Li) detector settled in a shielding cabinet and a well-type NaI(Tl) scintillation counter for anti-Compton measurement, and data acquisition and spectra analysis system performed independently by two mini computer. The system has operated for atmospheric aerosols as an example of activation analysis.     

The k0-method in cold-neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis

The k ₀-standardization method has been applied and evaluated at the cold-neutron prompt gamma-ray activation (PGA) facility of the Swiss spallation source SINQ (Paul Scherrer Institute). The k ₀-factors for 26 elements of interest were measured using chlorine as a comparator. The results showed good agreement with the values determined at other cold and thermal neutron guided beams, except for a few elements. Then, standard reference materials were analyzed to assess the accuracy of the method using the obtained k ₀-factors. Finally, the technique was used for multielement determination in various samples coming from nuclear waste storage, geochemistry and geology. In addition, the non-destructive nature of PGAA offered an interesting application in archeology.     

Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis by the absolute method

In this study an investigation into the applicability of the absolute method in Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) was undertaken. Although the system parameters are adequately characterized, the scatter in nuclear data for a number of elements is significant. For our particular experimental set up the K-factors were calculated for a number of elements using both Au and Fe as monostandards. A comparison was made between the calculated and experimentally determined K-factors and from this comparison the feasibility of the absolute method in neutron prompt gamma-rays can be realized for a number of elements.     

Determination of carbon and nitrogen in meteorites using gamma-ray activation analysis

The volume concentration of carbon and nitrogen in different meteorites was determined by gamma-ray activation analysis on a microtron. The ¹¹C and ¹³N radionuclides forming in photoneutron reactions were isolated by high-temperature extraction; their positron activity was then deactivated by the method of gamma–gamma coincidence of annihilation gamma quanta. A clear correlation was found between the sample darkness and the carbon concentration; the latter was at a level of 10^–2 wt %. No correlations was observed for nitrogen; its concentration was one order of magnitude lower than that of carbon and varied over the range (2–6) × 10^–3 wt %. The results obtained suggest that carbon entered different structural defects in chondrites as a result of its redistribution upon gaseous activity on parent bodies.Translated from Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, Vol. 60, No. 1, 2005, pp. 52–55.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Chapyzhnikov, Badyukov, Tsipenyuk.     

Some complementary data on response characteristics of high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometers at high count rates as used in activation analysis

It was shown that the peak intensities in a -ray spectrum measured with pile-up rejector are a function of the lower level discriminator settings. There is some systematic shift between the peak areas in spectra taken with pile-up rejector on and off. Explanation of this shift is given by using the 1332 keV⁶⁰Co peak as an example.     

Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis for multi-element determination in sediment samples

A facility for the irradiation of internal targets has been installed at the research reactor FRG-of the GKSS Research Center. Thermal-neutron induced prompt gamma radiation was detected by pair spectrometer. With this experimental arrangement concentrations of the major and mino elements Na, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cl, and S, as well as of the trace constituents Cr Ni, Cu Cd, and Hg of samples from a sediment core of the Elbe River could be determined. The results indicate, that prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is a powerful instrumental tool for a complete characterization of the main sediment constituents and for the detection of the trace elements Cd and Hg which are of considerable ecological relevance.     

Determination of boron in materials by cold neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis

An instrument for cold neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA), located at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), has proven useful for the measurement of boron in a variety of materials. Neutrons, moderated by passage through liquid hydrogen at 20 K, pass through a (58)Ni coated guide to the PGAA station in the cold neutron guide hall of the NCNR. The thermal equivalent neutron fluence rate at the sample position is 9 x 10(8) cm(-2) s(-1). Prompt gamma rays are measured by a cadmium- and lead-shielded high-purity germanium detector. The instrument has been used to measure boron mass fractions in minerals, in NIST SRM 2175 (Refractory Alloy MP-35-N) for certification of boron, and most recently in semiconductor-grade silicon. The limit of detection for boron in many materials is <10 ng g(-1).     

Prompt gamma-ray activation analysis for certification of sulfur in fuel oil SRMs

A combination of cold neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (CNPGAA) and thermal neutron (TN) PGAA was used to determine sulfur in fuel oils to develop a method to provide values for certification. CNPGAA was used to measure S/H mass ratios, and TNPGAA to measure hydrogen mass fractions. Measurements were combined to determine sulfur mass fractions (with expanded uncertainties) of 2.159 ± 0.072 % for SRM 1622e, 0.7066 ± 0.0120 % for SRM 1619b, and 0.1266 ± 0.0030 % for SRM 1617b, in agreement with certified values. The results validate the method as suitable for certification of sulfur at mass fractions ≥0.1 %.

     

An automated gamma-ray counting system for fast neutron activation analysis

An automated gamma-ray counting system was designed and built for use in counting long-lived nuclides (T>hr) produced during analysis by fast neutron activation. The system is mechanically simple, vet interfaced to sophisticated control and counting equipment for completely automated counting.