PANORAMIC INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL SILICA - A PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE K0 STANDARDIZATION METHOD

Based on the k0 standardization method, a panoramic instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied to synthetic and natural silica samples and concentrations and/or detection limits were obtained for 58 elements. The Si content, expected to be ca. 46.7% by weight, was also determined as a criterion for the absence of gross errors. From the results, conclusions were drawn regarding desirable extensions and improvements to the k0 method, such as the further determination and recommendation of k0 factors (e.g., for Ge and Te isotopes), and the elaboration of procedures allowing the introduction of "non-1/upsilon" radionuclides [e.g. Eu-152(m); requiring the introduction of the Westcott convention and of neutron temperature monitoring] and of low-energy gamma-emitters (e.g., some rare earth elements; requiring counting on an LEPD).