DETERMINATION OF HYDROGENOUS DISTRIBUTIONS BY NEUTRON TRANSMISSION ANALYSIS

Neutron transmission analysis is used as a tool for both scientific an d industrial applications, requiring high-quantitative precision and r eproducibility in the detection of macroscopic hydrogenous distributio ns. An experimental procedure and an analysis technique suitable for t he determination of hydrogenous distributions in homogenous matrices h ave been designed, using a thermal neutron beam transmitted through a sample and recorded on a plane position sensitive detector. The record ed detector signal is interpreted as the result of transfer of the unm odified beam signal through the system consisting of the sample and is described by system transfer functions. Two examples of applications of the technique are presented: basic research on humidity transport i n building materials and study of porosity of crystalline rocks for as sessment of contaminant transport. Possible extensions of the method a re discussed.