Thermal neutron capture gamma rays from sulfur isotopes: Experiment and theory

Standardisation of the prompt gamma activation analysis method

A complete series of measurements was performed at the Budapest prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGAA) facility in order to determine the partial production cross sections of the most suitable neutron capture gamma rays for all naturally occurring elements, excluding noble gases. The values were determined directly, with internal standardisation using stoichiometric compounds and homogeneous mixtures (mainly water solutions) of known composition. A comparison with a recent measurement for 20 elements shows good agreement except for a few non-1/v cross sections. The new data are sufficiently accurate for quantitative multielement determinations in PGAA without the necessity of elemental standards.

Breakdown of the isobaric multiplet mass equation at A = 33, T = 3/2

Mass measurements on (33,34,42,43)Ar were performed using the Penning trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP and a newly constructed linear Paul trap. This arrangement allowed us, for the first time, to extend Penning trap mass measurements to nuclides with half-lives below one second ( 33Ar: T(1/2) = 174 ms). A mass accuracy of about 10(-7) (deltam approximately 4 keV) was achieved for all investigated nuclides. The isobaric multiplet mass equation was checked for the A = 33, T = 3/2 quartet and found to be inconsistent with the generally accepted quadratic form.