Re-measurement of Q0 and k0 values for 14 nuclides

The accuracy of k0-based neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) using 14 nuclides produced by (n,γ) reactions with high Q0 values was recently brought into question. In this work we have re-measured Q0 for these 14 cases by the Cd-ratio method and by the two-channel method, and we have determined the k0 values for the most intense gamma-rays. Five of the proposed new Q0 values, 15.0±0.4 for 76As, 39.6±0.5 for 115Cd, 12.3±0.2 for 134mCs, 15.1±0.3 for 134Cs and 36.9±1.4 for 182Ta, will significantly improve k0-NAA using reactor neutron spectra with a large epithermal component. Several new k0 values are significantly different from those commonly used.