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Non-destructive analysis of a bulky sample from a natural fossil reactor

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Abstract

Two non-destructive and position sensitive methods were used to analyzea sample coming from the reactor site of Okelobondo near Oklo (Gabon). Atthe European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), uranium and lead werevisualized in this piece by element sensitive tomography. The same samplewas then studied with the new prompt gamma activation (PGA) facility at theSwiss spallation neutron source SINQ (PSI Villigen). A neutron focusing capillarylens permits to upgrade PGA to a position sensitive method. In the Oklo samplethe concentration of uranium but also of 7 other elements were spatially analyzed.

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  1. Institute Dolomieu, University Joseph Fourier Grenoble I, F-38043, Grenoble, France

    M. Piboule

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  1. M. Piboule
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Piboule, M. Non-destructive analysis of a bulky sample from a natural fossil reactor. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 250, 38–46 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013255912430

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