A multimodal neutron-based technique for the elemental analysis of materials in bulk

Abstract

Abstract Neutrons and gamma rays are effective probes for the elemental characterisation of bulk samples. Neutrons interactions with matter are characteristic of the nature of the target nucleus, and the incident neutron energy. Most nuclides exhibit distinctive structure in their total and differential cross sections, thus elements can be differentiated via their total, elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections, and the energies of prompt gamma rays produced in inelastic collisions. In this work we report on the use of the fast neutron transmission analysis technique for the analysis of 12C in graphite. We also present results of prompt gamma ray neutron activation analysis of graphite using 14 MeV neutrons, which was explored for the purpose of developing a multimodal neutron-based technique for elemental analysis of materials in bulk.