An in situ current PIGE methodology for non-destructive determination of total boron concentration in zirconium based alloy

Boron is an important element in nuclear industry due to its high neutron absorption cross section. For chemical quality control (CQC), it is necessary to determine B in finished products related to nuclear technology. In the present work, an in situ current normalized Particle Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE) methodology was developed for determination of total boron concentrations in three zirconium based alloys and aluminum was used as the current normalizer. For method validation, conventional RBS based PIGE method was also standardized, in which current was measured using a thin gold foil. Samples and standards wrapped with aluminized Mylar film were irradiated using 4 MeV proton beam from FOTIA, BARC. Prompt gamma rays from B and Al and RBS spectra from Au foil were measured simultaneously using HPGe detector and Si-surface barrier detector, respectively, and concentrations were determined by relative method. (author)