INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON-ACTIVATION DETERMINATION OF PT, RU, IR, SC, CR, FE, CO, LA, CE, ND, SM, YB, LU, HF AND TA EMPLOYING CIRUS REACTOR AS ATHERMAL-NEUTRON SOURCE

An accurate and simple method has been developed for the determination of Pt, Ru, Ir and other elements employing instrumental neutron activ ation analysis (INAA). Nondestructive analysis has been carried out fo r the determination of these elements in different rock samples such a s Dolerite, Dyke Dolerite, Country Basalt, Hyaloclastite, Trachyte, Ij olite, Spillite, Diorite and Lamprophyre from various locations like D aman, Tapti, Murud, Talasari, Ranala and Bassein in Maharashtra state. High flux provided by the CIRUS reactor (1 x 10(13) n cm(-2) s(-1)) h as been used for thermal neutron bombardment followed by radio-assayin g of the (n, gamma) products on a HPGe detector coupled to a PC-based MCA unit.