Determination of the contents of nitrogen and some other light elements by prompt gamma activation analysis

Full text: Determination of the contents of light elements such as: H, B, N etc. in various objects is important problem in many fields of a science, engineering, chemical and mining industry, and agriculture. The method of the prompt gamma activation analysis -PGAA based on neutron capture gamma-ray spectrometry is the most suitable analytical method for determination of the contents of these elements in different complex compounds. The very wide range of a spectrum of prompt gamma radiation (from 0.1 MeV up to 11.4 MeV), which accompanies the capture of neutrons allows determining the majority of elements. In this work the results of creation of the device for PGAA and the developed technique for determination of some elements (such as nitrogen, hydrogen and boron) content are given. In INP AS Uz the authors have developed the experimental device using low-power radionuclide neutron source (californium-252) for study of prompt gamma radiation spectra. As a result of experiments the optimal construction materials and measurement geometry were found for investigation of the whole spectra of prompt gamma radiation and the possibility of analytical application for determination of nitrogen in chemical fertilizers for agriculture, soil, grain and cereals. It has been shown that by use of scintillation spectrometry with NaI(Tl) detector (80 x 90 mm) it is possible to determine nitrogen, hydrogen and boron through their prompt gamma lines (10829 keV, 2223 keV and 478 keV, respectively). (author)