Neutron activation analysis by combined capture and decay gamma-spectrum method

The usual method of the neutron activation analysis is performed by the measurement of the characteristic nuclear radiations of the produced radioactive isotope by neutron irradiation. An advance in this field has recently been proposed in which the prompt capture γ-rays are observed in addition to the nuclear radiation of the produced nucleus. The characteristic energy spectra of these two kinds of γ-radiations are the main basis for the combined activation analysis method. The experimental setup consists of a γ-radiation pulse height energy spectrum system which is synchronized with a pulsing neutron generator of ‘D—T’ or ‘D—D’ reaction. The present results indicate that a qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of a number of elements is feasible, with an overall error of 10–15%.