| Grant number: | 09/12311-5 |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |
| Start date: | August 01, 2010 |
| End date: | July 31, 2011 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology |
| Principal Investigator: | Ana Maria Graciano Figueiredo |
| Grantee: | Davi Brigatto Mariano |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract This study aims the implementation and application of the k0 standardization method at the Neutron Activation Laboratory (LAN) at IPEN, São Paulo, Brazil, using the program k0-IAEA. The k0-IEA program was provided by The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) without cost, and has been used at other neutron activation analysis laboratories, such as the Interfaculty Reactor Institute of Technology (IRT), Delft University of Technology (Delft, Holland), and the Nuclear and Technological Institute (ITN) in Portugal. This method is an important alternative to the comparative neutron activation analysis, which has been used for several years at LAN-IPEN. This quasi-absolute standardization method has been adopted by various laboratories employing neutron activation analysis, and presents a great advantage with relation to the comparative method, since it does not require the preparation of accurate individual standards for each analysed element, which is very laborious and time-consuming. The k0 method allows the determination of almost all elements whose gamma-ray peaks are present in the gamma spectrum. The analysis of gamma-ray spectra and the calculation of concentration are performed by the K0 software, thus the analysis time is shortened.The efficiency curves of the gamma-ray spectrometers used at LAN will be determined by measuring calibrated radioactive sources at the usually utilized counting geometries. The parameters alpha and f will be determined by irradiating a Certified Nuclear Reference Material IRMM-530R Al-0,1% Au alloys and high purity zirconium comparators at the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor of IPEN. To evaluate the accuracy and precision of the methodology, geological certified reference materials will be analyzed and the results will be compared with certified values. The implementation of the k0-NAA method at the Neutron Activation Laboratory will increase the potential of analysis of the laboratory, keeping the quality of the analytical data. (AU) | |
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