A new instrument for cold neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis is being designed as part of the recent expansion of the cold neutron guide hall at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. This instrument has a 10-fold increase in neutron flux and lower gamma-ray and neutron background compared to the PGAA instrument it will replace at NG7. Monte Carlo based simulation sofware and experimental setups are used in the design phase to mitigate background while preserving high neutron fluence. The new instrument will also provide more space for samples and for experimental setup compared to the old facility.
Coincidence counting in neutron activation analysis has well-known advantages, most importantly improvement of detection limits. One obstacle to the wider use of this technique is the complexity of the data acquisition and reduction systems that it requires. The usual approaches to multi-detector data acquisition incur significant dead-time, involve redundant work in repeatedly developing limited tools and risk potential errors in low-level code. The paper describes progress made in developing a software framework to address these shortcomings.
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