Utilization of a /sup 252/Cf-/sup 235/U fueled subcritical multiplier for neutron activation analysis. Rev

A /sup 252/Cf neutron activation analysis facility developed in 1975 has been used for the routine multielement analysis of a wide variety of solid and liquid samples. The present neutron flux is on the order of 10/sup 9/ thermal neutrons per cm/sup 2/ per second. Following activation, the radioisotopes are analyzed through their photon emissions with lithium drifted germanium detectors, anticoincidence shielded germanium detectors and NaI(T1) coincidence spectrometers. Although over 65 elements have been measured in environmental materials with this system, typical analyses include the elements Na, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Br, Sr, Rb, Ba, and Dy. Detection limits range from the sub parts per million upward. Over 8000 samples have been analyzed at an amortized neutron cost per sample of $31.