A new internal reference method for activation analysis and its application

A new internal reference method for activation analysis has been developed. The method can be used effectively for special samples in which suitable elements as internal standards are absent and the self-shielding effect can be neglected. In this method, W_b g of element B as an internal reference is added to the sample which contains W_a g of element A to be determined, whereas the comparative standard is prepared by mixing only the element A and B in a known concentration ratio of W _a ^* /W_b. When the sample and comparative standard are irradiated by particles with the same energy distribution, even though both are irradiated separately by particles with different flux, W_a can be determined easily by the following equation. $$W_a = \left( {{{A_R } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{A_R } {A_R^* }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {A_R^* }}} \right)W_a^* $$ where A_g and A_R are count ratios between gamma-rays emitted by two radioactive nuclides produced from elements A and B in the sample and comparative standard, respectively. The usefulness of the present method was examined through the determination of Ti, Cr, Ni and Zr in several commercial aluminium alloys by means of photon activation, and the accuracy and precision of the method were verified.