Application of PIGE method for quantification of total boron in neutron absorbers and shielding materials and isotopic composition in in-house prepared enriched boron carbide samples

Abstract

The in situ current normalized particle induced gamma-ray emission method using 4 MeV proton beam was utilized for total boron concentrations in boron based neutron absorbers and borated wood based neutron shielding materials. Boron carbide samples with varying masses were analyzed to examine the effect of matrix as well as the efficacy of the in situ current normalized method. Isotopic composition of boron (10B/11B atom ratio) has been determined in natural and 10B enriched boron carbide samples as well as in four synthetically prepared enriched boron carbide samples to serve as in-house reference standard for isotopic composition.