Optimal Detection Sensitivities in Activation with Fast Neutrons from an 241 Am- 242 Cm

Abstract

The detection sensitivities of 60 chemical elements in activation with the fast neutrons from an ²⁴¹Am-²⁴²Cm—Be source have been measured. The source consisted of six slugs with a total output of 4.8X10⁹ unmoderated neutrons/sec, and a flux of 1.4×10⁸ fast neutrons/sec-cm². In general, the sensitivity (counts in a selected photopeak per gram of target element) for each element was obtained with irradiation for two to three half-lives of the short product nuclide, and counting for the same length of time. Neither irradiation nor counting was longer than 1 h. The detector was a cylindrical thallium-activated sodium iodide crystal 10 cm long and 10 cm in diam. The measured sensitivities are compared with reported sensitivities in activation with thermal neutrons.

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Optimal Detection Sensitivities in Activation with Fast Neutrons from an 241 Am- 242 Cm—Be Source

Abstract

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References