Measurement of k0-Factors in Prompt Gamma-Ray Neutron Activation Analysis

The guided thermal neutron beam at 100 MW Dhruva research reactor facility of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was used to carry out prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA). The prompt k0-factors have been determined for the isotopes of the elements H, B, K, Co, Cu, Ca, Ti, Cr, Cd, Ba, Hg and Gd with respect to 1951 keV gamma-line of 36Cl. The prompt k0-factors for H, Cl and Cu were also measured with respect to the 1381 keV gamma-line of 49Ti. Different samples like NH4Cl, Ti metal, cobalt chloride and other stoichiometric compounds and pure metals were used for this purpose. Prompt gamma-rays were accumulated using a 22% HPGe detector connected to a PC based 8k MCA in single mode counting. The energy calibration in the range of 100–8500 keV was carried out using gamma-rays from 152Eu and 60Co, and the prompt gamma-rays from 36Cl whereas the absolute detection efficiency for this energy range was determined using 152Eu and prompt gamma-rays from 36Cl and 49Ti.