Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis for multi-element measurement with series samples

Abstract

The on-line prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) system is used to measure a series of prepared experimental samples to obtain the prompt characteristic γ-rays of the elements Ca, Fe, Si, Al, Mg and S in the examples of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO (powder), CaO (block), CaCO3, Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and S. The γ-ray energies are: Si, 3.54 or 4.93 MeV; Ca, 4.42 or 6.42 MeV; S, 5.42 MeV; Fe, 5.92 or 7.63 MeV. Meanwhile, the prompt γ-rays of the main elements are measured in an experiment in which SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO (powder), CaO (block), CaCO3, Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and S are blended to constitute a cement sample. The prompt γ-rays of S will contribute more with increase in S mass, as known from the experiment concerning the prompt γ-ray spectrum for different masses of S.