Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis was used for this study of stonewares collected from the site of the Buena Vista/Oregon Pottery Company (1866-1890). The results show significant chemical signatures in the samples tested. Thorium/ytterbium and thorium/chromium ratios within their respective ranges of variation demonstrate a relative conformity among all samples of Buena Vista ceramics.

Thesis. 1975. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences. / Vita. / Bibliography: leaves 123-135. / Ph.D.

No description available.

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate the effectiveness of neutron activation analysis in studying a complex environmental problem. The area chosen for study was the exhaust emitted by automobiles and its dispersion into soil and selected plants near highways. The elements chosen for this study were the major traceable components of gasoline and automobile exhaust. Variations in the concentrations of these trace elements in soil, grass and wash off the grass at various distances from two highways were investigated. Of the elements found in gasoline and in automobile exhaust, bromine most clearly indicated where some of the atmospheric components were going and, therefore, would be the most suitable element for neutron activation studies of atmospheric and turbulence modeling and possibly for following biological effects of automobile traffic. / Master of Science

In this work, Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP) analysis capability has been added to the Oregon State University TRIGA�� Reactor Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis Facility (PGNAA). This system has been implemented with an advanced digital spectroscopy system and is capable of rise time pulse shape analysis as well as coincidence measurements from multiple detectors. The digital spectroscopy system utilizes a high-speed multichannel digitizer with speeds up to 200 Megasamples/second (MS/s) with advanced hardware trigger and time stamping capabilities. These additions allow the facility to conduct simultaneous NDP and PGNAA combined measurements, which also enables cross calibration. The digital pulse processing is implemented with software programmed rise time pulse shape analysis capabilities for the analysis of the detector responses on a pulse-by-pulse basis to distinguish between different interactions in the detector. The advanced trigger capabilities of the digitizer were configured to accurately measure and correct for dead time effects from pulse pile up and preamplifier decay time. / Graduation date: 2013

Thesis (M.Sc.)(Hons) -- University of Western Sydney, 2005. / "A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Honours) Physics" Bibliography: leaves 101-108.

This study describes the technique and procedures used for the simultaneous determination of elements involved in Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, applied to some geological samples as a sensitive and non-destructive tool. Using Isotopic Neutron Source, the delayed gamma-rays emitted due to neutron capture have been applied for the investigation of the elemental constituents and concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in such samples. The experimental investigations were carried out at the scale of researcher's practices at the chosen site by measuring soil/rock nutrient contents from hydrologically isolated farmland/site plots. Using detailed sampling procedures with special precautions, against contaminations, to yield meaningful results, soil/rock samples have been collected from selected areas of East Gojjam, pulverized, homogenized and prepared for irradiation. The samples were properly prepared together with known standards of potassium iodide or cupric sulphate or arsenic trioxide (one /or both at a time), and simultaneously irradiated in to isotopic neutron ux in the same irradiation position. After activation, the samples were subjected to gamma-ray spectrometry, using a high-purity germanium detection system and computerized multichannel analyzer. The gamma-ray spectra from the irradiated samples were measured by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry with a calibrated germanium detector. Both qualitative and quantitative approach to data collection and analysis were used in order to gain insight into what should be acceptable to the community. The results obtained have a practical interest in view of possible applications to the technology of extraction and exploration of a variety of industrial, metallic, cement minerals, and geothermal energy and coal deposits. These results tend to agree with the lowest values reported in the literature, and the analytical precision is su cient for the determination of the standard deviation of the distribution of all elements in East Gojjam and these results were brie y discussed within the text of this research work. In carrying out the analysis, the best and most convenient method being the Instrumental and /non-destructive Neutron Activation Analysis was adopted, and NAA has matured and attained analytical competence providing not only rapid, quantitative, qualitative, simultaneous, multi􀀀element analysis but also crucial validation support to programmes using di erent analytical techniques. This method of analysis is generally multi-element and experimental conditions can be designed to be non􀀀destructive to the sample, and it plays a leading role among analytical techniques in the eld of environmental research related to human, animal and plant health. Studies of di erent radionuclide and trace elements in the environmental samples are very important for health physics, research and education. Many forms of elements are possible in environmental samples which may be hazardous for human being, animals and also plants. Most of them have the potential for both benefcial and harmful effects / Environmental Sciences / D. Phil. (Environmental Science)

This study describes the technique and procedures used for the simultaneous determination of elements involved in Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, applied to some geological samples as a sensitive and non-destructive tool. Using Isotopic Neutron Source, the delayed gamma-rays emitted due to neutron capture have been applied for the investigation of the elemental constituents and concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in such samples. The experimental investigations were carried out at the scale of researcher's practices at the chosen site by measuring soil/rock nutrient contents from hydrologically isolated farmland/site plots. Using detailed sampling procedures with special precautions, against contaminations, to yield meaningful results, soil/rock samples have been collected from selected areas of East Gojjam, pulverized, homogenized and prepared for irradiation. The samples were properly prepared together with known standards of potassium iodide or cupric sulphate or arsenic trioxide (one /or both at a time), and simultaneously irradiated in to isotopic neutron ux in the same irradiation position. After activation, the samples were subjected to gamma-ray spectrometry, using a high-purity germanium detection system and computerized multichannel analyzer. The gamma-ray spectra from the irradiated samples were measured by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry with a calibrated germanium detector. Both qualitative and quantitative approach to data collection and analysis were used in order to gain insight into what should be acceptable to the community. The results obtained have a practical interest in view of possible applications to the technology of extraction and exploration of a variety of industrial, metallic, cement minerals, and geothermal energy and coal deposits. These results tend to agree with the lowest values reported in the literature, and the analytical precision is su cient for the determination of the standard deviation of the distribution of all elements in East Gojjam and these results were brie y discussed within the text of this research work. In carrying out the analysis, the best and most convenient method being the Instrumental and /non-destructive Neutron Activation Analysis was adopted, and NAA has matured and attained analytical competence providing not only rapid, quantitative, qualitative, simultaneous, multi􀀀element analysis but also crucial validation support to programmes using di erent analytical techniques. This method of analysis is generally multi-element and experimental conditions can be designed to be non􀀀destructive to the sample, and it plays a leading role among analytical techniques in the eld of environmental research related to human, animal and plant health. Studies of di erent radionuclide and trace elements in the environmental samples are very important for health physics, research and education. Many forms of elements are possible in environmental samples which may be hazardous for human being, animals and also plants. Most of them have the potential for both benefcial and harmful effects / Environmental Sciences / D. Phil. (Environmental Science)

Concentration ratios are used to determine the transfer of nuclides from soil to biota to fauna. Some nuclides have limited associated data though, this has not prevented predictions from being performed at sites without associated data. These ratios are site specific and are not fully applicable when applied to other locations. A recent literature review for a waste repository performance assessment determined that a significant portion of the environmental data was based on recursively published material. To address this deficiency neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to determine concentration ratios of certain biota. Three sites, two riparian and one shrub steppe, were sampled in the eastern Washington Columbia basin, near the Hanford site. Two hundred and fifty eight samples of opportunity were collected. This included 15 soil samples, 10 water and sediment samples, 40 different species of biota, and 2 terrestrial animal species and 3 aquatic animal species. These samples were prepared for NAA by drying, weighing, and in certain cases ashing to improve detection efficiency. After activation, the samples were placed in a HPGe detector to perform spectral analysis. The concentration results of 26 elements of interest are presented, along with newly established concentration ratios for all of the species sampled. / Graduation date: 2013