Neutron Activation Analysis

It is a condition for enrolment in course 17NAA that the student must have received credit for the course 17SPEK in a previous semester

Garant předmětu:

Milan Štefánik

Lecturer:

Milan Štefánik

Tutor:

Milan Štefánik

Supervisor:

Department of Nuclear Reactors

Synopsis:

The aim of the course is to make students familiar with the topics of radioanalytical method of neutron activation analy-sis and activation measurements. Students will acquire detailed knowledge on neutron-induced nuclear reactions, neu-tron sources, neutron spectra, nuclear data and tools useful for activation techniques. They will get detail knowledge on procedures of neutron activation analysis, individual methods and types of activation analysis, and wide applications of this radioanalytical method in physical sciences and humanities. The working procedures of neutron activation analysis, its utilization for neutron field spectrometry, measurement of cross-sections and fission yields, and nuclear data valida-tion will be described in detail. Students will routinely work with semiconductor gamma spectrometers, they extend previously acquired knowledge on gamma spectrometry. They will perform activation measurements and composition analysis of various types of samples (historical, geological, environmental, biological) and neutron field parameters measurement necessary for determination of absolute thermal neutron flux and neutron spectrum. Students will acquire a wide practical experience with HPGe detectors, experimental work at the Training reactor VR-1, and neutron activation analysis in an interdisciplinary approach.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

1.Introductory lecture to activation analysis (1 lecture)

2.Neutron sources, their neutron fields and beams, and applications in activation analysis (2 lectures)

3.Physical principles of activation measurements (2 lectures)

4.Neutron activation technique (1 lecture)

5.Methods and types of neutron activation analysis (2 lectures)

6.Neutron field spectrometry by means of neutron activation technique, reactor dosimetry (2 lectures)

7.Activation measurement of cross-sections, activation analysis using charged particles and photons (2 lectures)

8.Excursion at external workplace (1 lecture)

Syllabus of tutorials:

1.Calculations (3 exercises): Induced radioactivity, activity saturated and specific, reaction rate, ray attenuation, etc.

2.Experiment – Qualitative neutron activation analysis (4 hours)

3.Experiment – Activation measurement of thermal and epithermal neutrons (4 hours)

4.Experiment – Quantitative neutron activation analysis (4 hours)

5.Experiment – Neutron spectrum determination utilizing the neutron activation technique (4 hours)

6.Experiment – Neutron activation measurement of cross-sections and fission yields (4 hours)

Study Objective:

Study materials:

Key references:

[1]Yunus S.O., Oyewumi K.J., Amosa M.K.: Analytical Methods Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, VDM Verlag Dr Muller, 2010, ISBN 978-3-639-24321-5

[2]Tsoulfanidis N., Landsberger S.: Measurement and Detection of Radiation, 4th edition, CRC Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1482215496

[3]Greenberg R.R., Bode P., Fernandes E.A.D.N.: Neutron Activation Analysis: A Primary Method of Measurement, Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 2011

Recommended references:

[4]Alfassi Z.B.: Activation Analysis, CRC Press,Inc., Florida, 1990, ISBN 08493-4583-9

Note:

Time-table for winter semester 2023/2024:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2023/2024:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Jaderné inženýrství - Jaderné reaktory (compulsory elective course)