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Large sample neutron activation analysis of a ceramic vase

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Abstract

Large Sample Neutron Activation Analysis (LSNAA) was applied to perform non-destructive elemental analysis of a ceramic vase. Appropriate neutron self-shielding and gamma ray detection efficiency calibration factors were derived using Monte Carlo code MCNP5. The results of LSNAA were compared against Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) results and a satisfactory agreement between the two methods was observed. The ratio of derived concentrations between the two methods was within 0.7 and 1.3. Estimation of the activity level decay with time showed that the vase could be released from regulatory control at about 3 months post-irradiation. This study provided an analytical procedure for bulk sample analysis of precious and archaeological objects that need to be preserved intact and cannot be damaged for sampling purposes.

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Acknowledgements

The useful discussions with Dr. P. Bode and Dr. M. Blaauw at RID are most gratefully acknowledged. This research project has been supported by the European Commission under the sixth Framework Programme through the Key Action: Strengthening the European Research Area, Research Infrastructures, contract no. RII3-CT-2003-505925.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nuclear Technology – Radiation Protection, NCSR ‘Demokritos’, 15310, Aghia Paraskevi, Greece

    I. E. Stamatelatos, F. Tzika & T. Vasilopoulou

  2. School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Science, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece

    T. Vasilopoulou

  3. Reactor Institute Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629JB, Delft, The Netherlands

    M. J. J. Koster-Ammerlaan

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  1. I. E. Stamatelatos
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  2. F. Tzika
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  3. T. Vasilopoulou
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  4. M. J. J. Koster-Ammerlaan
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Correspondence to I. E. Stamatelatos.

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Stamatelatos, I.E., Tzika, F., Vasilopoulou, T. et al. Large sample neutron activation analysis of a ceramic vase. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 283, 735–740 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0454-3

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