Analysis of k0 neutron activation analysis at the University of Missouri Research Reactor

k0 Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (k0 INAA) was evaluated at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). The MURR, unlike many other research reactors that employ k0 INAA, is refueled on a weekly basis. To determine if the neutron spectrum is stable enough for routine k0 INAA analysis, the neutron spectrum parameters α and f were measured over a 9 month period. The average values of f and α measured using the Cd ratio multi monitor technique were 57.4±4.5 and 0.039±0.012, respectively. It was determined that k0 INAA could be used at the MURR by employing the average value of α and f. However, significant measurement bias could occur for elements with high Q0 values if the true spectral parameters deviate by more than 10% from the average value.