Prompt -ray analysis using pulsed neutrons at J-PARC

藤 暢輔; 海老原 充*; Huang, M.; 木村 敦; 中村 詔司; 原田 秀郎

no journal, , 

Prompt Gamma-ray Analysis (PGA) is an analytical method which uses the energy of the -rays. Elemental analysis by time of flight (TOF) uses the energy of neutron resonances. Both PGA and TOF are known as non-destructive method and use a neutron beam for sample activation and the -rays in neutron capture reactions. However, PGA and TOF have never been applied simultaneously before. We developed a technique which combines PGA and TOF by using an intense pulsed neutron beam and a large solid angle Ge detector system. It allows us to obtain the results from both methods at the same time. PGA and TOF have different sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the technique has considerable potential as a useful tool for non-destructive elemental analysis. Moreover, significant synergy has been achieved. Specifically, analysis of a spectrum of TOF-PGA makes it possible to quantify element concentrations in the sample that neither PGA nor TOF methods can be applied to. To assess the feasibility of the technique, we conducted experiments at the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument (ANNRI). As a consequence, the developed technique allows us to eliminate or at least to greatly suppress the overlaps of -rays, and provides a highly accurate determination of an elemental composition even with the presence of undesirable elements.