DEVA-PGAA Workshop

The Data Evaluation Group is pleased to announce a joint DEVA-PGAA workshop on 11th July 2023 in the Glaspalast at FRM II, organised with support of the MLZ Science Group “Methods”. This workshop is intended to familiarize participants with basic concepts of nuclear analytical techniques, specifically prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) as a beginner’s course. It will include lectures and detailed demonstrations on use of in-house and commercial softwares for the evaluation and interpretation of gamma spectra acquired at the PGAA and NAA instruments of MLZ and for the determination of the chemical composition. The participants will also have the possibility to gain experience in using these programs and interpret the analytical results on practical examples.

The workshop is open for all students and scientists belonging to MLZ User community, as well as those belonging to MLZ partner institutions. It is limited to 15 participants on a first come, first served basis. Participants are expected to bring laptops, notebook and pens.

PGAA is a non-destructive nuclear analytical method based on the detection of prompt gamma radiation from neutron capture. It is used for the determination of chemical composition of samples (major, minor components and certain trace elements) in panoramic analysis with special emphasis on the light elements which typically are hard to measure with other analytical techniques.

NAA is another neutron-based technique analyzing the delayed gamma radiation of activated samples. Its strength lies in the highly sensitive determination of trace elements (typically in and above the fourth period of the Periodic Table), thus, it complements PGAA.’‘