title: The use of Compton suppression spectrometers for trace element studies in biological materials.
abstract: A straightforward method for demonstrating the powerful background reduction of Compton suppression spectrometers for neutron activation purposes is presented. The shorter acquisition time needed in Anti-Compton mode (A/C on) for peaks of appropriate counting statistics, compared to normal gamma counting (A/C off), allows a much higher sample throughput, thus compensating for the higher cost of the instrument. Two examples of artificial mixtures of radionuclides demonstrate the drastic time saving for measurement of monoenergetic decaying isotopes. The comparison of results from three different instruments proves the general usefulness of Compton suppression spectrometers for Neutron Activation Analysis of biological samples.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Physical Chemistry, Nuclear Research Center, Jülich, FRG.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossbach
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeisler
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Woittiez
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D014131:Trace Elements