Non-destructive determination of trace-element concentrations. Annual progress report, September 1977

Equipment has been assembled at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) reactor by the University of Maryland group in cooperation with the NBS staff in order to initiate studies of a new analytical technique, neutron-capture prompt γ-ray activation analysis. According to this technique one observes prompt γ-rays while the sample is under neutron bombardment, rather than observing γ rays from decay of radioactive species produced. It is expected that this technique will make possible the non-destructive determination of a number of elements in several classes of samples that cannot be measured by present analytical methods. A beam thimble has been built for insertion into the reactor. A beam stop and target holder have been designed and are under construction. The detection system has been designed and is on order. The pulse-height analyzer system has been obtained and debugged and most of the software needed has been written