First results from the prompt gamma-ray activation facility at PSI

Since October 1997, a new Prompt Gamma-ray Activation (PGA) Facility at the neutron spallation source SINQ of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villigen in Switzerland has been operational. The detection system includes a Compton-suppression and a pair spectrometer. Of particular interest is the availability of a neutron focusing lens. During the beam periods 1997 and 1998, measurements were performed to characterize the PGA facility (gamma-ray background, profile and flux of the neutron beam, efficiencies of the two spectrometers, analytical sensitivities and detection limits for several elements, elemental analysis of standards). Scanning of samples and nuclear spectroscopy of isotopes having small capture cross section were also performed using the neutron focusing lens. (author)