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Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis of boron using Deuterium–Deuterium (D–D) neutron generator

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Abstract

Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is a nuclear analytical technique for the determination of trace and other elements in solid, liquid or gaseous samples. The method consists in observing gamma rays emitted by a sample during neutron irradiation. The PGNAA system was built using a moderated and shielded deuterium–deuterium (D–D) neutron generator. This facility has been developed to determine the chemical composition of materials. The neutron generator is composed of three major components: An RF-Induction Ion Source, the Secondary Electron Shroud, and the Diode Accelerator Structure and Target. The generator produces monoenergetic neutrons (2.5 MeV) with a yield of 1010 n/s using 25–50 mA of beam current and 125 kV of acceleration voltage. Prompt γ-ray neutron activation analysis of 10B concentrations in Si and SiO2 matrices was carried out using a germanium detector (HPGe) and the results obtained are compared with a PGNAA system using a NaI detector. Neutron flux and energy distribution from D–D neutron generator at the sample position was calculated using Monte Carlo simulation. The interaction properties of neutrons in a Germanium detector have been studied.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by (IAEA TUN2003 project) “Installation of neutron activation analysis laboratory based on a neutron generator”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de recherche “Maîtrise et Développement des Techniques Nucléaires à Caractère Pacifique”, National Center of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, Technopole Sidi Thabet, BP 72, CP 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia

    K. Bergaoui & N. Reguigui

  2. Adelphi Technology Inc., 2003 East Bayshore Road, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA

    C. K. Gary, C. Brown, J. T. Cremer, J. H. Vainionpaa & M. A. Piestrup

Authors
  1. K. Bergaoui
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  2. N. Reguigui
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  3. C. K. Gary
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  4. C. Brown
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  5. J. T. Cremer
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  6. J. H. Vainionpaa
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  7. M. A. Piestrup
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Correspondence to K. Bergaoui.

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Bergaoui, K., Reguigui, N., Gary, C.K. et al. Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis of boron using Deuterium–Deuterium (D–D) neutron generator. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 303, 115–121 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3298-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3298-4

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