Experience with Delayed- and Prompt-Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis Using Accelerator-Based Neutrons at KFUPM: An Overview

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is one of the major nuclear applications using neutrons. These neutrons can originate from a variety of sources, such as nuclear reactors, isotopic neutron sources, or neutron generators. The nuclear group at KFUPM has gained extensive experience in the use of fast and thermal neutrons for NAA on a variety of solid and liquid samples, with delayed and prompt gamma rays, over the past 30 + years, using both open-end and portable neutron generators. The measured concentrations ranged from a low of 6 ppm for vanadium to a high of 2.3 wt% for strontium using delayed gamma rays from activated soil samples; and from a low of 24 ppm for boron in water samples to a high of 15.8 wt% for oxygen in bulk samples for prompt gamma rays. The present paper briefly describes the salient features of the NAA setups and some of the measurements and results obtained using them. Brief information is provided while details can be found in the relevant references listed.