Neutron Activation Analysis

Microscopic cross section

area of interaction

Macroscopic cross section

probability of interaction per cm per target atom

Total cross section

a measure of the probability that a neutron will interact with a nucleus

Scattering cross section

a measure of the probability that a neutron will be scattered by an atomic nucleus, with the value depending on the target nucleus, the neutron's energy, and the scattering angle

Absorption cross section

a measure of the probability that a neutron will be absorbed by an atomic nucleus

Saturated activity

maximum achievable activity of a radioactive isotope produced by neutron activation, reached when the rate of neutron absorption equals the rate of radioactive decay

Activation equation

Criticality dosimeter

Applications of neutron reactions

NAA, PGNAA

How to calculate activity of sample exposed to neutron flux

Possible neutron reactions and how to calculate their cross sections

How to calculate mass of element given neutron flux and number of counts

How are threshold reactions used for criticality neutron dosimetry?

dose estimation