Neutron Activation

Atomic spectroscopy incredibly useful!

• fingerprint atom / uncover internal dynamics / ect

This experiment is about doing the same thing for the nucleus. Big problem r_Nuc ~ 1e-5 r_atom => E_n ~ 1e5 E_atom.

Atoms activate with light => here need nuclear reactor Atoms measure spectra with diffraction grating => here need specialized equipment to see X-rays/gamma rays

Ordinary matter activated by neutrons: Excited states decay n → p + (stuff)

Take non-radioactive material and expose it to neutrons.

Place activated material in detectors:

• measure energy of γs
• Count how many decays / s

~100 elements to play this game with Once you learn the technique we wil give you material that is activated, and you tell us what the material is.

Experimental setup: PMT -> wave forms -> Amplified -> Digitized and analyzed with a computer