Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The increasing importance of Prompt Gamma-ray Activation Analysis (PGAA) in a broad range of applications is evident, and has been emphasized at many meetings related to this topic (e.g., Technical Consultants' Meeting, Use of neutron beams for low- and medium-fluxresearch reactors: radiography and materials characterizations, IAEA Vienna, 4-7 May 1993, IAEA-TECDOC-837, 1993). Furthermore, an Advisory Group Meeting (AGM) for the Coordination of the Nuclear Structure and Decay Data Evaluators Network has stated that there is a need for a complete and consistent library of cold- and thermal neutron capture gammaray and cross-section data (AGM held at Budapest, 14-18 October 1996, INDC(NDS)-363); this AGM also recommended the organization of an IAEA CRP on the subject. The International Nuclear Data Committee (INDC) is the primary advisory body to the IAEA Nuclear Data Section on their nuclear data programmes. At a biennial meeting in 1997, the INDC strongly recommended that the Nuclear Data Section support new measurements andupdate the database on Neutron-induced Prompt Gamma-ray Activation Analysis (21st INDC meeting, INDC/P(97)-20). As a consequence of the various recommendations, a CRP on "Development of a Database for Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGAA)" was initiated in 1999. Prior to this project, several consultants had defined the scope, objectives and tasks, as approved subsequently by the IAEA. Each CRP participant assumed responsibility for the execution of specific tasks. The results of their and other research work were discussed and approved by the participants in research co-ordination meetings (see Summary reports: INDC(NDS)-411, 2000; INDC(NDS)-424, 2001; and INDC(NDS)-443, 200). PGAA is a non-destructive radioanalytical method, capable of rapid or simultaneous "in-situ" multi-element analyses across the entire Periodic Table, from hydrogen to uranium. However, inaccurate and incomplete data were a significant hindrance in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complicated capture-gamma spectra by means of PGAA. Therefore, the main goal of the CRP was to improve the quality and quantity of the required data in order to make possible the reliable application of PGAA in fields such as materials science, chemistry, geology, mining, archaeology, environment, food analysis and medicine. This aim wasachieved thanks to the dedicated work and effort of the participants. The CD-ROM included with this publication contains the database, the retrieval system, the three CRM reports, and other important electronic documents related to the CRP. The IAEA wishes to thanks all CRP participants who contributed to the success of the CRP and the formulation of this publication. Special thanks are due to R.B. Firestone for his leading roll in the development of this CRP and his comprehensive compilation, analysis and provision of the adopted database, and to V. Zerkin for the software developments associatedwith the retrieval system. An essential component of this data compilation is the extensive sets of new measurements of capture gamma-ray energies and intensities undertaken at Budapest by Zs. Revay under the direction of G.L. Molnar. The extensive participation and assistance of H.D. Choi is also greatly appreciated. Other participants in this CRP were: R.M. Lindstrom, S.M. Mughabghab, A.V.R. Reddy, V.H. Tan and C.M. Zhou. Thanks are also due to S.C. Frankle and M.A. Lone for their active participation as consultants at some of the meetings. Finally, the participants wish to thank R. Paviotti-Corcuera (Nuclear Data Section, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences), who was the IAEA responsible officer for the CRP, this publication and the resulting database. The participants are grateful to D.L. Muir and A.L. Nichols, successive Heads of the Nuclear Data Section, for their active and enthusiastic encouragement in furthering the work of the CRP.