Simple computer system for transferring and gamma radioactivity scanning of neutron-activated samples

In this paper the very simple and low cost computer set-up for transport and gamma radioactivity scanning is described. The set-up has been specially designed to apply it in neutron activation analysis. The analysis requires using a source neutron to irradiate examined materials and by this means to convert some of isotopes of tested samples into gamma radioactive isotopes. The neutron-activated samples must be transfer to the gamma rays detector for the final part of the analysis process. In many cases the special scanning procedure must be done before the analysis of gamma emission is run. The procedure is needed to find the best position for the examined sample on the gamma detector. A general criterion for making the best choice of the position for the sample is finding the highest level of the gamma radioactivity registered by the detector. The transport and positioning must be fully safe and very quick what is especially required for short-lived gamma radioactive isotopes. The presented set-up solves the problem by full automation of the manipulation of the radioactive materials. It bases on a self-acting and self-regulating system with a simple lift and a mobile platform controlled by a computer.