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Chapter 6
Fast Neutron Activation Analysis
An Analytical Method
6.1 FNAA: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS
Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and prompt gamma neutron activation
analysis (PGNAA) are proven methods of elemental analyses traditionally
performed at nuclear research reactors. With NAA, samples are irradiated
with highly thermalized neutrons inside the reactor and then taken to a low
background counting area where the induced radioactive decay products are
analyzed. e intensities of the obtained specic gamma rays provide informa-
tion about the number of atoms in the sample. Hence, the information on its
chemical composition can be ...