A systematic error from count rates in neutron activation analysis of archaeological materials

Errors of the order of a few per cent may occur in trace element measurements because of changes in the Ge(Li) detector resolution caused by count rate; errors appear when photopeak intensities are measured by summing a fixed number of data channels. A simple correction method based on a gaussian approximation is proposed. The problem is discussed in the context of trace element measurements in archaeological material. (Auth.)