Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis of boron using Deuterium–Deuterium (D–D) neutron generator

Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is a nuclear analytical technique for the determination of trace and other elements in solid, liquid or gaseous samples. The method consists in observing gamma rays emitted by a sample during neutron irradiation. The PGNAA system was built using a moderated and shielded deuterium–deuterium (D–D) neutron generator. This facility has been developed to determine the chemical composition of materials. The neutron generator is composed of three major components: An RF-Induction Ion Source, the Secondary Electron Shroud, and the Diode Accelerator Structure and Target. The generator produces monoenergetic neutrons (2.5 MeV) with a yield of 1010 n/s using 25–50 mA of beam current and 125 kV of acceleration voltage. Prompt γ-ray neutron activation analysis of 10B concentrations in Si and SiO2 matrices was carried out using a germanium detector (HPGe) and the results obtained are compared with a PGNAA system using a NaI detector. Neutron flux and energy distribution from D–D neutron generator at the sample position was calculated using Monte Carlo simulation. The interaction properties of neutrons in a Germanium detector have been studied.