Activation and gamma spectroscopy applied to the arms control

The control of disarmament needs non intrusive analysis methods. Many are available but one of the most promising is the neutron activation associated with gamma ray spectroscopy. The problem is to find out the composition of the content of a very often dangerous unknown object and the research has to be made through hermetic, strongly X-ray absorbing walls. By using thermal or fast neutrons it is possible to excite the nucleus of the various inner elements. Then, the nature of the content of the unknown object can be determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy. One present application is the identification of the toxic elements inside chemical ammunitions. (authors). 7 figs., 1 tab., 4 refs