Analytical radiochemistry of neutron activated samples in practice

Analytical radiochemistry of neutron-activated samples, as practiced during past decades at the Jožef Stefan Institute Ljubljana, is outlined. The paper reviews achievements made in both elemental analysis and analyses of long-lived radionuclides, in variety of sample types. The presented analytical procedures include application of diverse chemical separations, multiple irradiations of samples, use of various nuclear reactions and detection modes for particular measurands, and determination of elements that are difficult to be determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Useful practical applications of neutron-activated tracers for chemical yield determinations, as unique feature of radiochemical NAA in comparison with non-nuclear analytical methods, are also addressed.