International Atomic Energy Agency inter-comparison of particle induced gamma-ray emission codes for bulk samples

Abstract PIGE has been widely used in the analysis of bulk samples, with quantification of data made usually through the use of reference samples. With a growing database of experimental cross sections becoming available, the use of first-principles data analysis methods is gaining ground. Only few codes capable of first principles analysis of PIGE data were available, but new codes have been recently developed. However, their accuracy has not been verified so far. In this work, the results of an inter-comparison of PIGE data analysis codes organised by the IAEA are presented. The inter-comparison was made through simulations for well-defined conditions, for bulk samples. Five analytical codes participated in the exercise: ERYA-Bulk, ERYA-Profiling, NDF, PiGreCo and SIMNRA. It is concluded that, although some differences are observed for some calculations, particularly in the presence of sharp resonances in the cross section, all four codes are appropriate for analysis of PIGE experimental data.