Physical basis for prompt-neutron activation analysis

The technique called prompt ν-ray neutron activation analysis has been applied to rapid materials analysis. The radiation following the neutron radiation capture is prompt in the sense that the nuclear decay time is on the order of 10-15 second, and thus the technique is not strictly activation, but should be called radiation neutron capture spectroscopy or neutron capture ν-ray spectroscopy. This paper reviews the following: sources and detectors, theory of radiative capture, nonstatistical capture, giant dipole resonance, fast neutron capture, and thermal neutron capture ν-ray spectra. 14 figures