Measurement of some primary nuclear interferences in neutron activation analysis with a SLOWPOKE reactor

Abstract

The interference factors were measured for 21 cases where the (n, p) and (n, α) reactions induced by fast neutrons produce the same radioisotopes as those used in the determination of F, Na, Mg, Al, S, Se, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, and As. The measured factors are compared with those calculated from data found in the literature.

Determination of Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, S, Ti and V in Cereals, Oils, Sweeteners and Vegetables Sold in Canada by Neutron Activation Analysis

“…The blank values were subtracted from results. Twenty per cent of the neutron #ux in our reactor is due to fast neutrons which may cause nuclear interferences (Zikovsky and Galinier, 1981;Kennedy et al, 1986). A computer program was used to subtract these interferences.…”

Application of k0-INAA Method in Preliminary Characterization of KRISS Urban Airborne Particulate Matter Certified Reference Material

“…For example, the 235 U(n,f ) fission products, which contribute to 95 Zr, 95 Nb, 97m Nb, 99 Mo, 99m Tc, 139 Ba, 140 La, 141 Ce, and 147 Nd isotopes, must be corrected [24,30], but their nuclear interference could not be corrected if the U concentration were unknown. In another example, the 26 Mg(n,γ) 27 Mg reaction competes with the 27 Al(n,p) 27 Mg via nuclear isotope interference reaction (threshold reaction with fast neutrons); hence, the amount of Al must be determined to establish the accurate concentration of Mg [19,27,31]. The k 0 -INAA method is a multi-elemental analysis approach that analyzes interference elements, such as U and Al, together without the need to prepare standards.…”