The application and development of k₀-standardization method of neutron activation analysis at Dalat research reactor

Abstract

In recent years the k ₀-NAA method has been applied and developed at the 500 kW Dalat research reactor, which includes (1) the establishment of a PC database of k ₀-NAA-related nuclear parameters, e.g., radionuclide produced, half-lives, k ₀-factors, Q ₀, _r, E _g, etc; the access to the database is able by a k ₀-NAA software or by manual; (2) the detection efficiency calibration of gamma spectrometers used in k ₀-NAA, (3) the determination of reactor neutron spectrum parameters such as a and f factors and neutron fluxes in the irradiation channels, and (4) the validation of the developed k ₀-NAA procedure by analysing some SRMs, namely Coal Fly Ash (NIST-1633b), Bovine Liver (NIST-1577b) and IAEA-Soil7. The analytical results showed the deviations between experimental and certified values were mostly less than 15% with most Z-scores lower than 2. The k ₀-NAA procedure established at the Dalat research reactor has been regarded as a reliable standardization method of NAA and as available for practical applications, in particularly for airborne particulate and crude oil samples.