Determination of HCNO concentrations by fast neutron scattering analysis

A technique has been developed whereby a pulsed, monoenergetic fast neutron beam is used to determine concentrations of the elements H, C, N and O in small (0.2–1 kg) samples. Organic scintillators detect neutrons scattered by the sample and pulse height and time-of-flight data recorded by the detectors are analysed using the HEPRO program system (PTB, Braunschweig). Test measurements on compounds of the four elements show that atom fractions and masses may be determined to a few percent accuracy.