PASSIVE MEASUREMENTS AND ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF GRANITE SAMPLES

A combined technique of passive measurements and activation analysis was used to assess major elements and natural radioactive contents of solid granite rocks. The mass of the tested samples were between 10 g and 300 g and are used as a model for the present technique. Elemental analysis using neutron activation was done using thermalized neutrons from AmBe neutron source. For activation analysis, the efficiency was determined with absolute values with respect to standard sources. Concentration of potassium was determined by the 41 K (n,ᵞ ) reaction. For passive measurements, the efficiency was determined using Peak-by-Peak follow-up starting from the already known 40 K concentration. The concentrations of 238 U and 232 Th daughters were assessed. Additionally, neutron activation reveals presence of concentrations of natural sodium, manganese from their neutron-activated nuclei 24 Na, 56 Mn, respectively.