Speaker
Description
An optimized k₀-neutron activation analysis (k₀-NAA) method, incorporating cyclic irradiations of short-lived radionuclides (SLRNs), was developed at the Dalat Research Reactor (DRR). This study presents the precise characterization of reactor parameters using a fast irradiation facility, rigorous sample preparation, and advanced calibration of HPGe detector-based gamma-ray spectrometry for accurate element quantification. Utilizing SLRNs (⁷⁷ᵐSe, ¹¹⁰Ag, ²⁰F, ¹⁷⁹ᵐHf, ⁵¹V, ⁴⁶ᵐSc), with half-lives ranging seconds to minutes, we targeted elements crucial for biological and environmental studies. The “k0-Dalat” software, a home-made with highly automated capability, facilitated rapid analysis within a single workday. The method’s accuracy was validated using certified reference materials (SMELS-I, NIST-SRM-1566b, NIST-SRM-2711a), demonstrated accuracy within 5-8% of certified values, with detection limits of 0.2-1.9 mg/kg for elements of interest in biological samples, confirming the method’s high sensitivity and applicability for similar matrix analyses.
