Using neutron activated radiography (NAR) and image processing technology to extract the distribution and location of the elements in geological samples

The theory and application of NAR are described as a technique for locating and mapping specific minerals in geological samples, which have been irradiated in a nuclear reactor. The distribution of irradiated elements (radioisotopes) which decay by gamma or beta particles are then detected by using X-ray film (or nuclear track emulsion). Each irradiated element has its typical response to X-ray film. Therefore, studying the gray levels in the X-ray film can assess the distribution and location of elements in the samples. Computer image processing technology is employed to study the X-ray film. In this way, the author can extract the image of each element´s distribution and calculate its relative content. The application to gold deposits is discussed