Neutron activation analysis with the use of californium-252 source

The apparatus for neutron activation analysis with the use of fission neutron source 252Cf (neutron output 6.7 x 107 n/s) is presented. The sensitivities for 25 elements were determined. The possibility of quantitative determination of Mn, Na, Cu, Ga, As, Br, In, Sb, La, Sm, Eu, Er, Dy, Yb, W, V, Sc, Co, Se, Rh, J, Ho, Lu, Hf, Re, Ir, Au with the use of neutron source yielding only 108 n/s is revealed. Several elements have lower limits of determination below 0.1%. The utilization of the 109 n/s source, which will improve the limit to 0.01% and increase the number of determinable elements, is suggested. The application of the apparatus for the analysis of sea sediments for Na is described. (author)