First experimental attempts of129I direct measurements by neutron interrogation and gamma-ray spectrometry

As an altemative to¹²⁹I measurement by X-ray spectrometry or ICPMS, we explored the possibilities of activation analysis using thermal or 14 MeV neutrons. Preliminary qualitative measurements were done with samples of about 5 mg. These samples were exposed to two neutron sources:²⁵²Cf and DT neutron generator. The most interesting reaction is the neutron capture which leads to useful signatures at 536.1, 668.5, and 739.5 keV, associated with a half-life of 12.36 h.