O Laboratório de Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons (LAN) do Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), utiliza esta técnica analítica multielementar, baseada na irradiação de uma amostra por um feixe de nêutrons oriundos de um reator nuclear, que induz a radioatividade; que é medida em um espectrômetro de raios gama, para a obtenção dos espectros de raios gama. Neste trabalho é implementado um software denominado de SAANI (Software Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental) para análise de espectros de raios gama, desenvolvido para os usuários do laboratório LAN-IPEN, com a filosofia de software livre, para a substituição do software existente VISPECT/VERSÃO 2, e tem como características principais: tornar a interface mais amigável; facilitar a padronização dos procedimentos realizados pelos pesquisadores, estudantes e técnicos; ser extensível com a utilização da tecnologia de plugins; multiplataforma; código livre. O software foi desenvolvido utilizando a linguagem de programação Python, a biblioteca gráfica Trolltech Qt e algumas de suas extensões científicas. Os resultados preliminares obtidos utilizando o software SAANI foram comparados aos obtidos com o software existente e foram considerados bons. Algumas diferenças encontradas foram verificadas oriundas de erros de precisão na implementação do software. O software SAANI está instalado nos computadores de usuários selecionados para a execução de rotinas de análise para uma maior verificação de sua robustez, precisão e usabilidade. / This study developed a specific software for gamma ray spectra analysis for researchers of the Neutron Activation Laboratory (LAN), which was named SAANI (Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Software). The LAN laboratory of the Institute for Research and Nuclear Energy (IPEN-CNEN/SP), uses a multielementar analytical technique, based on irradiation of a sample by a flux of neutrons from a nuclear reactor, which induces radioactivity. The sample is then placed in a gamma-ray spectrometer, to obtain the spectrum. With free software philosophy in mind, this software will replace the existing software VISPECT / VERSION 2. The new software´s main features are: a friendlier interface; easier standardization procedure carried out by LAN staff and researchers; adapted to the use of plug technology; multiplatform and code free. The software was developed using the programming Python language, the library Trolltech Qt graphics and some of their scientific extensions. Preliminary results using the SANNI software were compared to those obtained with the existing software and were considered good. There were some errors in accuracy during the implementation of the software. The SAANI software has been installed in selected computers to be used for routine analysis in order to verify its strength, accuracy and usability.

The radioactivity contributions of several daughter products of the 235,238 U and 232Th isotope decay chains within geological matrices can be assumed to be in equilibrium due to their age if they have remained undisturbed for an extended period of time. Similarly, one can assume that the isotopic mass proportions are equal to natural isotopic abundance. Current methods used to ascertain activity in these decay chains involve alpha particle spectrometry or ICP-MS, both of which can be laborious and time consuming. In this research, thermal and epithermal neutron activation analysis of small samples of various geological materials is used in order to ascertain activities. Through the use of NAA, cumbersome sample preparation and the need for large sample size and extended counting time are obviated. In addition to the decay chains of uranium and thorium, 40K, another large contributor to naturally occurring radioactivity, is determined using epithermal neutron activation analysis to determine total potassium content, and then calculating its isotopic contribution based on its natural isotopic abundance. / text

The ability to quickly and accurately quantify fissile constituents in bulk materials remains essential to many aspects of nuclear forensics and for safeguarding nuclear materials and operations. This often entails the analysis of trace quantities of nuclear debris or effluents, and typically requires bulk sample digestion followed by actinide separation and mass spectrometry. Because destructive methods are time and labor intensive, efforts have been made to develop alternative nondestructive methods for this type of analysis. This work, performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), seeks to utilize delayed neutron activation analysis on samples of interest containing multiple fissile constituents. Based on the variances in the fission product yields of individual fissile nuclides, this work utilizes methods of linear regression to derive a technique that allows for such analysis, forgoing chemical separation and using only a single irradiation and counting step. / text

The need for trace, minor and main element analysis becomes more prevalent each year with an every expanding variety of applications. Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is an attractive non-destructive analysis tool that can be utilized on small samples regardless of what physical state the material is in. The analysis process however, typically requires researchers to physically handle a radioactive sample in order to transport the sample to detection systems for data gathering. The purpose of this project was to design a Fully Automated Rapid Irradiated Sample Transit (FARIST) system that could deliver samples into a reactor core and then transfer them to a detector for analysis with zero human interaction. The system would be designed to hold up to 30 samples prior to analysis with the irradiation, decay, and counting times programmed in initially so that once analysis was initiated, no user interaction was required for the next 29 samples. The last requirement of the system was that it supports cyclic NAA. This work discusses the science and history behind NAA as well as the design, construction, installation, and testing of the new FARIST system. / text

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