K 0-prompt gamma ray activation analysis for estimation of boron and cadmium in aqueous solutions

K ₀-PGAA (prompt gamma activation analysis) has been used to estimate boron and cadmium contents in industrial and environmental materials from some different local areas as well as, samples from different locations in Burullus and Qarun Lakes. A high efficiency Compton background suppression gamma-ray spectrometry by anti-coincidence counting with a NaI(Tl) shield around a central HPGe detector for in beam PGAA using a ²⁵²Cf neutron source has been calibrated and described in this paper. The facility is principally designed for measurement of the prompt gamma-ray spectra obtained due to thermal neutron capture using 1951.14 keV gamma line of ³⁵Cl as the internal mono-standard comparator. A calibration curves were developed in which a set of boron and cadmium standards were tested and the count rate to boron and cadmium mass curves were determined. This set of boron and cadmium measurements was compared with a method for determining composition using K ₀-PGAA. Conventional prompt neutrons capture Gamma-ray results were in a good agreement with the data obtained by K ₀-PGAA method. Detection limits and self-shielding study are presented.