Time-resolved prompt-gamma activation analysis at spallation neutron sources and applications to cultural heritage, security, and radiation protection

Abstract The present and future developments of time-resolved prompt-gamma activation analysis (T-PGAA) at pulsed neutron sources is discussed in the framework of the successful history of neutron-activation techniques. A brief description of the state of the art and the most important user facilities using standard prompt-gamma activation analysis (PGAA) is provided. Then, we discuss the challenges and the opportunities for T-PGAA at pulsed neutron sources, and the potential impact for applications to cultural heritage, radiation protection, and security. We notice some inversions of trend needed for the further development of T-PGAA with epithermal and fast neutrons, such as the possibility to use fast and high-efficiency γ-ray scintillators with lower energy resolution (compared to usual high-purity germanium detectors) when the signal from neutron capture resonance is selected. We also suggest how detection systems often used in other fields, such as medical physics, can be of interest and inspiration also in the case of neutron-based investigations. Finally, we present new data of T-PGAA measurements on VESUVIO using neutron energies up to the keV using the scintillators available on the instrument, for samples of gold (of interest in cultural heritage), cadmium (for environmental safety), and tantalum (a material used in biomedical implants)