THE NEW PROMPT GAMMA-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS FACILITY AT BUDAPEST

Prompt gamma-activation analysis (PGAA) is an important complementary technique to conventional instrumental activation analysis that can be successfully used in a number of cases when INAA is not applicable. T herefore, a PGAA facility has been constructed at the recently refurbi shed and upgraded Budapest Research Reactor. It occupies the end posit ion of a new curved thermal guide of 30 m length and 2.5 x 10 cm(2) cr oss section which provides a clean beam of low energy neutrons. The so phisticated HPGe-BGO gamma-ray spectrometer system can be operated in Compton-suppression and pair-spectrometer modes simultaneously. The oc tal splining of the main EGO improves efficient pair mode operation wh en coincidences between pairs of opposite segments and the HPGe detect or are required separately. Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements will also be possible when the new multiparameter data acquisition system i s completed. One of the main tasks at the new facility will be the acc umulation of new spectroscopic data for detector calibration and stand ardisation, as well as for the construction of a more accurate prompt gamma-ray library for the chemical elements. Various applications are planned, such as the determination of hydrogen in fullerenes and of to xic trace elements in environmental samples.