TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS AT THE LIVERMORE POOL-TYPE REACTOR USING NEUTRON ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES

摘要

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis is a technique of trace analysis using measurements of radioactivity induced in the sample by exposure to a source of neutrons. The induced activity is measured by detecting the emitted gamma radiation. Each Gamma emitter can then be identified by the energy of the photopeaks produced as the nuclide decays toward its ground state, and by the half-life of the neutron-induced activity. A complex computer program, GAMANAL, has been used which can accomplish the major tasks of nuclide identification and quantification. A description of the methods employed at the Livennore Pool-Type Reactor (LPTR) is discussed, including sample preparation, irradiation, analysis, and application of the technique.