Multielemental analysis of bulk matrices by measurement of prompt and delay gamma-rays as well as cyclic activation using an isotopic neutron source.
An inexpensive prototype irradiation facility is described which employs a 5 Ci Am-Be neutron source. This permits the comparison of prompt with delay gamma-ray analysis as well as cyclic activation for application to partial body neutron activation analysis. The detection limits in a tissue equivalent phantom for elements of clinical interest: N, O, Na, P, Cl, Ca and Cd are given. Calculated detection limits for general multielemental analysis of bulk matrices are also presented. These are normalised with respect to experimentally obtained detection limits, with the energy dependence of the background, the detection efficiency and the self attentuation of gamma-rays in the sample being taken into account.
D000201:Activation Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009502:Neutrons; D010315:Particle Accelerators