Can instrumental neutron activation analysis keep pace with the needs of the high purity materials industry?

The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) has been one of t he premier providers of neutron activation analysis (NAA) to the high purit y materials industry for the past 20 pars. Over the last two decades, signi ficant advances in contamination control in the manufacturing process and t he development of alternate analytical techniques have challenged the NAA c ommunity to keep pace. This paper presents an overview of the High Purity M aterials Analysis Program at MURR. Specifically we present trends in the tr ace element concentrations that we have observed in our laboratory over the past 10 years and compare our experience with the relevant literature. The prospects for the future success of NAA and the methodological changes req uired for satisfying the industry's need will be discussed.