Estimation of neutron activation analysis errors conditioned by neutron field depression and coincidence of energies of neutron capture resonance levels of nuclides of analyzed and interfering elements

Depression of nuclear reactor neutron field and the mutual effect of irradiated samples are evaluated experimentally. The distances at which samples of different rare refractory metals in containers for irradiation should be placed so that the error is less than 1 rel.% are recommended. The difference of theoretical and experimental data in the evaluation of the field depression near the sample, absorbing neutrons is shown. The maximum error of neutron-activation analysis, conditioned by the absorption of resonance level neutrons when there is a coincidence of the level energies in nuclides of two and more elements is evaluated theoretically. Hf determination in the alloy Hf(70%)-Ta(15%)-Nb(15%), as well as in the alloy Ta-Re is described