Characterization of the Dalhousie University SLOWPOKE-2 reactor for k(0)-NAA and application to medium-lived nuclides

The neutron spectra of one outer (#10) and two inner (#2 and #3) sites of the Dalhousie University SLOWPOKE-2 reactor (DUSR) have been calibrated for the k(0)-based neutron activation analysis (k(0)-NAA). The parameters determined include the cadmium ratio (R-Cd), epithermal neutron flux shape factor (alpha), subcadmium-to-epithermal neutron flux ratio (f), thermal-to-fast neutron flux ratio (f(F)), modified spectral index r(alpha) rootT(n)/T-0, Westcott g(Lu)(T-n)-factor, and absolute neutron temperature (T-n). The alpha-values of -0.0098+/-0.0045 and -0.0425+/-0.0047 and -0.0422+/-0.0053 and f-values of 57.1+/-2.2 and 18.8+/-0.4 and 18.9+/-0.4 were obtained for the sites #10, #2 and #3, respectively. The modified spectral index (MSI), g(Lu)(T-n)-factor, and T-n have been determined for the handling of non 1/v (n,gamma) reactions. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing reference materials.