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Application of PGNAA utilizing thermal neutron beam for quantification of boron concentrations in ceramic and refractory neutron absorbers

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Abstract

A Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facility was set up using a thermal neutron beam at Dhruva research reactor. It was utilized for non-destructive quantification of total boron in refractory neutron absorbers and 10B atom% in B4C ceramics having natural and enriched 10B composition by measuring the 478 keV prompt gamma-ray from 10B(n,αγ)*7Li. Self-shielding correction was carried out for higher boron concentration samples using chlorine as an internal standard. As a part of quality assurance, the results of PGNAA were compared with those obtained by in situ current normalized Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) method.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank Dr. S. M. Yusuf, Head, Solid State Physics Division (SSPD), BARC and Dr. (Mrs.) Mala N. Rao of SSPD, BARC for their support by providing the neutron beam facility at GT Lab, Dhruva reactor for this work. Authors thank Head, MP&CED, BARC and his colleagues for their help and permission to use some of these samples of interest. The results presented in this manuscript are part of Ph.D. thesis work of Sk Wasim Raja under Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI). Mr. V. Sharma is thankful to CSIR, New Delhi for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and he sincerely thanks Director, RC&IG and Head, RCD, BARC and Principal, K C College, Mumbai for their support and encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiochemistry Division (BARC), Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, 700064, India

    Sk Wasim Raja

  2. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    S. K. Samanta, V. Sharma, R. Acharya & P. K. Pujari

  3. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India

    Sk Wasim Raja, R. Acharya & P. K. Pujari

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  1. Sk Wasim Raja
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  2. S. K. Samanta
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  3. V. Sharma
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  4. R. Acharya
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  5. P. K. Pujari
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Correspondence to R. Acharya.

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Raja, S.W., Samanta, S.K., Sharma, V. et al. Application of PGNAA utilizing thermal neutron beam for quantification of boron concentrations in ceramic and refractory neutron absorbers. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 325, 933–940 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07136-2

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