The use of prompt gamma radiation for quality control purposes

The measurement of prompt gamma rays from (n, n', γ) and (n, γ) reactions is a promising technique for the bulk analysis of matter. Industrial applications will involve the use of radioisotope neutron sources and scintillation detectors. For that reason it is important to estimate the effect of the interelement interferences. Examples are given of the application of this technique to the measurement of samples of the coal industry and of other bulk materials. It will be shown that these measurements are best suited for the analysis of the elemental content in large mass streams. (author)