Practical Considerations in Activation Analysis

To better understand the practical details of how activation analysis may be applied to a given problem in elemental analysis, let us consider the various aspects of a 

The second step in an activation analysis concerns the choice of nuclear reaction to change X into X, plus the irradiation facility in which the reaction will be carried out. In addition, the length of irradiation and decay prior to counting must be chosen so the produced X activity is enhanced relative to all other activities produced. Most activation analysis is done with thermal neutrons produced in nuclear reactors for the following reasons  

Many elements have high cross sections for the absorption of thermal neutrons in (n, 7) reactions. 

Copious fluxes of thermal neutrons ( J 1012n/cm2/s) are available in nuclear reactors. 

Neutrons penetrate matter easily, and therefore there are few problems related to attenuation of the neutron flux in the sample. 

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