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Photo and Neutron Activation Analysis
This lab is used to demonstrate how the RPI Linear Accelerator (LINAC) can be used for photon and neutron activation of samples, which allows for composition analysis of the samples through gamma ray emission.
The experiment uses several pieces of advanced equipment. Chief among all of the high tech things involved in this lab is the RPI LINAC. Samples are brought into LINAC via a "rabbit system", a tube system(pictured below) developed here at RPI which remotely delivers samples into the LINAC for exposure and activation. A computer controls the LINAC and another is used for data capture and analysis of gamma emission from the sample. There are two main experiments in this lab. The first experiment involves photoactivation, where Bremsstrahlung are used to bombard the sample and provide gamma emission data. Bremsstrahlung are x-rays that are produced when electrons from the LINAC's high-energy electron beam pass by a massive nucleus and have their energy cut sharply. These x-rays then bombard the sample being activated in the LINAC and, when combined with gamma emission analysis of the sample and a known reference material activated at the same time, provide the abaility to determine the composition of the sample being investigated. The second experiment involves neutron activation. A similar process to photoactivation is used, but the Bremsstrahlung are used to bombard Tantalum plates, which allows production of neutrons to activate the sample. These neutrons activate the sample being investigated through several processes, most notably the measureable neutron capture reactions. When the sample captures neutrons is becomes too massive, and undergoes gamma decay. This gamma decay is measured and analyzed, then compared to known radiosiotope emission spectrums to identify the nuclide the sample consists of. One major use of Photoctivation and Neutron Activation is in the analysis of environmental samples, detecting trace elements of impurities present. |
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NEEP Lab Course Instructor:
Yaron Danon, vist Dr.
Danon's web site |
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