Application of multiple prompt -ray analysis (MPGA) to geochemical and cosmochemical samples

Oura, Yasuji*; Watanabe, Ryo*; Ebihara, Mitsuru*; Murakami, Yukihiro*; Toh, Yosuke   ; Kimura, Atsushi   ; Koizumi, Mitsuo ; Furutaka, Kazuyoshi  ; Oshima, Masumi; Hara, Kaoru; Kin, Tadahiro; Nakamura, Shoji  ; Harada, Hideo   

We applied multiple prompt -ray analysis (MPGA) method to geochemical and cosmochemical samples to evaluate its analytical performance on signal to noise (S/N) ratio, sensitivity, and detection limit. The S/N ratio measured by MPGA system was larger than that by normal prompt ray activation analysis (PGAA) at JRR3. For some elements, the S/N ratio was improved more than ten times. Several elements that are not detected by PGAA were detected by MPGA. In the present experiment, concentrations of major elements and trace elements with high neutron capture cross section in geochemical and cosmochemical samples were determined accurately by the MPGA system. It is expected that it will determine a lot of trace elements after appropriate adjustments and modifications.