Similarly to Exp 5, use HPGe detectors to measure energy/intensity of gamma rays

UNKNOWN SAMPLE (irradiated with neutrons)

With this, find the relative/absolute quantities of isotope, identifying the sample
material
Neutron Activation Analysis neutron radiation is a result of nuclei capturing free
neutrons, entering excited states, and then decaying by emitting gamma rays (or in
other cases, HCP).
Delayed gammas are on the order of days or more, dont worry about them.
NEUTRON SOURCE: reactor, actinoid that emits neutrons through spontaneous
fission, alpha source that will create the following reaction 9Be + 4He -> 12C + 1n ,
D-T fusion reaction
Since were using reactor neutrons, they are moderated and slow, low kinetic
energy <0.5 eV
Non destructive analysis applied in biochemistry, archaeology, environmental
restoration, nutrition, soil science
Account for background
Discrepancy between the count rate and the gamma emission rate, related by
efficiency
Two efficiencies geometric (constant throughout), intrinsic; calculate efficiencies at
known gamma ray energies
IDENTIFICATION once you know that a certain isotope exists, then look for other
gamma rays that that isotope emits
If gamma ray energy belongs to more than one isotope, you can break it down using
energies from multiple gamma rays of isotopes and branching
One gamma emitter geives multiple peaks? Calculate activity (via combined gamma
emission rate)
CAPTURING ISOTOPE

t1
elementweight d
A
2
=
sampleweight
s N 0 W ( I . A . ) ln ( 2 )

()

exp

( tt irrad ) ln ( 2 )
t1
2

T irrad

d/s = decay rate, N0 is Avogadro, W is weight, IA is abundance, t-tirrad is decay

time, phi is reactor neutron flux at source activation location,
isotope cross section

is time in reactor

is capturing

ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Half-life is greater than the length of irradiation and the length of
measurement, (2) Isotopic abundance (I.A.) and capturing isotope capture cross
section,

is weight of sample, can be taken from appendix, (3) Midpoint of

irradiation and midpoint of measurement for decay time

PROC
Sources: Am241, Th228, Ba133, EUROPIUM 152. DO NOT TOUCH BACK OF BA
SOURCE
Calibrate the amplifier gain, note the overflow channels, set peak of 137Cs is at
20% of this channel, gies spectrum 3MeV of range
Calibrate for Energy & Efficiency: Location for efficiency calibration should be as
close as possible, maintaining a dead time < 10%. If it is less, move it closer, record
this distance. (EUROPIUM has the most dead time, due to many different gamma
transitions in its decay. USE THIS DISTANCE FOR EVERYTHING.
Spectrum with CS137 for 3 mins Record live & real time, peak channel, energy of
peak, net counts peak (uncertainties), gross counts. Save file as ASCII, leave the
energy calibration, re-do for other sources.
SAMPLES should be handled by GSIs with gloves. Acquire data for 1-2 hours,
construct efficiency curves, mark all peaks (dont mark small peaks), save ROI
report (plaintext). You will be provided the WEIGHT, IRRADIATION TIME, and
NEUTRON FLUX.
Get background for an hour, make sure everything is out, keep ROIs marked.
REPORT
Table of data for energy calibration and efficiency calibration, plot the efficiency
Gamma-Ray emitter table energy, net counting rate, gamma ray emission rate,
isotopic identification, branching ratio, isotope activity
MAKE SURE to look at background spectra for false peaks
Plot of spectrum and background spectrum
Scaling conversion factor for energy to channel is listed in the file
Tabulate isotopes in sample name, disintegration rate, and the natural isotope