Activation determination of silicon using ring type isotope Be(α,n) - neutron sources

Peculiarities and possibilities of using neutron Be (α, n)-sources in the form of a hollow cylinder or half-cylinder for analysis on silicon, are considered. Calculation results of distribution of fast neutron flux density inside the sources of the mentioned configurations, are given. Experiments with 244Cm-Be source, having 4x108 neutr./s yield, are conducted for obtaining data on sensitivity of the analysis on silicon. The form of the source was half-cylindrical. The specimens were prepared of silicon dioxide. It is shown, that by means of a source with 109 neutr./s yield it is possible to determine Si content about 0.1% in specimens of 10 g mass with the error of 10 rel.% at 5 min analysis duration. Threshold of determination makes up about 2x10-2%. Immense contents of silicon (above 10%) can be determined with the error, less than 1 rel.%. The mentioned sources can be used for analysis of geological and metallurgic specimens