Automatic interpretation of gamma-ray data obtained in non-destructive activation analysis

The procedure in use at our institute for the extraction of the desired element concentrations in a sample from the peak data obtained by a spectrum analysis program, is described in detail. The method is based on the use of zinc as a single comparator and takes into consideration primary activation products as well as their daughter isotopes. After assigning isotopes to spectrum peaks on the basis of γ-ray energies, the list of possible isotopes is reduced to a list of present isotopes with their concentrations using criteria based on half life, specificity and intensity of γ-rays. For elements not observed, detection limits are estimated. The procedure has been used extensively during the last two years and has shown to produce reliable results.