In situ elemental analysis using neutron-capture gamma-ray spectroscopy

Abstract

In situ chemical analysis has become increasingly important in many areas of geochemical exploration and environmental monitoring. However, the determination of absolute or relative concentrations by neutron-gamma techniques can be difficult because of the variety of materials that can be encountered. Changes in concentration of neutron moderators, particularly water, and of strong absorbers, such as iron, can result in spatial and energy distribution variations of the neutron flux in the material. These lead to changes in the measured gamma-ray spectrum. We have been developing analytical procedures which allow the absolute and relative abundances of major and minor elements to be determined from the measured neutron-induced gamma-ray spectrum. Calculations are made using the one-dimensional neutron and gamma transport code ANISN. From the calculations, conversion factors are obtained that can be used to convert gamma-ray count rates to elemental concentrations. Once these conversion factors are determined as a function of water content and the macroscopic cross section, they can be used to determine compositions of unknown samples. To explore the application of these analytical methods, a number of different experimental test programs have been initiated to collect measured gamma-ray spectra. Field tests have been conducted in soils of various compositions using a 120 cm 3 HPGe detector and a 14 MeV pulsed neutron generator.