IAEA-TECDOC-1215 
            
                    Use of research reactors for 
                      neutron activation analysis 
                                             Report of an Advisory Group meeting 
                                                 held in Vienna, 22–26 June 1998 
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
                                                                        April 2001 
                                               
                  The originating Section of this publication in the IAEA was: 
                                
                           Physics Section 
                       International Atomic Energy Agency 
                          Wagramer Strasse 5 
                            P.O. Box 100 
                         A-1400 Vienna, Austria 
             USE OF RESEARCH REACTORS FOR NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS 
                          IAEA, VIENNA, 2001 
                          IAEA-TECDOC-1215 
                           ISSN 1011–4289 
                                
                           © IAEA, 2001 
                                
                        Printed by the IAEA in Austria 
                            April 2001 
                                
                                                               FOREWORD 
                 Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is an analytical technique based on the measurement of 
                 characteristic radiation from radionuclides formed directly or indirectly by neutron irradiation 
                 of the material of interest. In the last three decades, neutron activation analysis has been found 
                 to be extremely useful in the determination of trace and minor elements in many disciplines. 
                 These include environmental analysis applications, nutritional and health related studies, 
                 geological as well as material sciences. The most suitable source of neutrons for NAA is a 
                 research reactor. 
                 There are several application fields in which NAA has a superior position compared to other 
                 analytical methods, and there are good prospects in developing countries for long term 
                 growth. Therefore, the IAEA is making concerted efforts to promote neutron activation 
                 analysis and at the same time to assist developing Member States in better utilization of their 
                 research reactors. As part of this activity, the IAEA organized an Advisory Group Meeting on 
                 “Enhancement of Research Reactor Utilization for Neutron Activation Analysis” in Vienna 
                 from 22 to 26 June 1998. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the benefits and the role 
                 of NAA in applications and research areas that may contribute towards improving utilization 
                 of research reactors. 
                 The participants focused on five specific topics: 
                 (1)    Current trends in NAA; 
                 (2)    The role of NAA compared to other methods of chemical analysis; 
                 (3)    How to increase the number of NAA users through interaction with industries, research 
                        institutes, universities and medical institutions; 
                 (4)    How to reduce costs and to maintain quality and reliability; 
                 (5)    NAA using low power research reactors. 
                   
                 This TECDOC details the highlights of the discussions in the meeting along with the papers 
                 presented. The IAEA is grateful to Mr. P. Bode (Delft University of Technology, Netherlands) 
                 for compiling the publication. It is hoped that it will enhance the effectiveness of research 
                 reactor laboratories and help identify fields of application where neutron activation analysis 
                 can be of value. 
                 The IAEA officer responsible for this publication was B. Dodd of the Division of Physical and 
                 Chemical Sciences. 
                                                                        
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