Development of an advanced neutron activation analysis protocol at the University of Utah Nuclear Engineering Facility

This thesis encompasses the experimentation and development of neutron activation analysis protocols for the University of Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP). The University of Utah TRIGA Reactor (UUTR) was used as a neutron source to activate various materials to examine the inorganic elements. The Activity Estimator calculator was developed to approximate the activities of activated isotopes. Gamma ray activities, from activated samples, were acquired and measured on high purity germanium gamma spectroscopy detectors. Using the data collected from the gamma spectroscopy activated isotopes were identified and quantified. The activities from the identified isotopes were used to calculate the elemental concentrations of the sample materials using the Elemental Concentration Calculator and SRM Ratio Calculator. Complete NAA protocols and procedures were developed for a wide variety of materials and uses such as: criminal forensics, metals in soil, rock and water as well as minerals in fruits and vegetables.