Table 1.
Comparison of the different neutron sources available for neutron activation analysis.
| Type | Yield(n s−1) | Neutron distribution | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radioisotope sources | 10 7(up to) | isotropic | wide | low |
| Nuclear reactors | 1015 (or higher) | beamlines | limited | high |
| Neutron generators | 107–1011 | isotropic | wide | intermediate |
| Spallation sources | >1015a | beamlines | limited | high |
Effective thermal neutron.