Use of 7Li(p,n) reaction as a neutron source in a PGNAA setup

The performance of a 7Li(p,n) reaction-based Prompt Gamma Ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) setup has been determined for analysis of Portland cement samples using Monte Carlo study. The calculations were carried out for a 7Li(p,n) reaction-based PGNAA setup with an external moderator similar to the one used in a previous 2.8 MeV neutrons-based PGNAA setup. The optimum values of geometry parameters of the 7Li(p,n) reaction-based setup are different from those of the 2.8 MeV neutrons-based setup resulting in better performance of the 7Li(p,n) reaction-based setup. The prompt γ-ray yield from the 7Li(p,n) reaction-based setup is 60–70% higher than that from the 2.8 MeV neutrons-based setup. Although the performances of the 7Li(p,n) reaction-based setup is comparable with that of a previously studied 3H(p,n) reaction-based setup, yet performance of the 7Li(p,n) reaction-based setup is superior to that of the 3H(p,n) reaction-based setup because it has less radiation hazard due to utilization of non-radioactive neutron producing target. This study has provided a theoretical base for experimental test of a 7Li(p,n) reaction-based PGNAA setup.