‘Fast Neutron Activation Analysis of Gold by Inelastic Scattering, 197Au(n, n’gamma)197Au(m), by mean of Plasma Focus Device’

The application of a Fast Neutron Activation Analysis (FNAA) technique on samples of pure gold, irradiated by a plasma focus of 7 kJ, has been investigated. The reaction was the inelastic scattering of neutrons, 197 Au(n,n'γ) 197 Au m . To avoid problems connected with peculiar features of the neutron emission from this kind of source, a preliminary standardisation of the method has been carried out. The results obtained have a practical interest in view of possible applications to the technol- ogy of extraction of minerals.