title: Prompt gamma-ray analysis using cold and thermal guided neutron beams at JAERI.
abstract: A highly sensitive neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA) system, usable at both cold and thermal neutron beam guides of JRR-3M, has been constructed. The system was designed to achieve the lowest gamma-ray background by using lithium fluoride tiles as neutron shielding, by placing the samples in a He atmosphere and by using a Ge-bismuth germanate detector system for Compton suppression. The gamma-ray spectrometer can acquire three modes of spectra simultaneously: single, Compton suppression, and pair modes. Because of the low-energy guided neutron beams and the low-background system, analytical sensitivities and detection limits better than those in usual PGA systems have been achieved. Boron and multielemental determination by a comparative standardization have been investigated, and accuracy, precision, and detection limits for the elements in various materials were evaluated. The system has been applied to the determination of B and multielements in samples of various fields such as medical, environmental, and geological sciences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI), Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yonezawa
mesh_terms: D005720:Gamma Rays; D009502:Neutrons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements