Neutron Activation Calculator

When a material is bombarded with neutrons in a reactor or neutron source, its atoms become radioactive — the Neutron Activation Calculator predicts how radioactive your sample will be and how dangerous it is to handle. Enter your target material's chemical formula, mass, density, and thickness, along with neutron flux parameters and irradiation/decay times, to calculate total activity (Bq). Secondary outputs include specific activity, saturation activity, and dose rate at 1 meter — giving you a full radiation safety picture after activation.

Enter the chemical formula of the target material

g
g/cm³
mm
n/cm²/s

Ratio of bare to cadmium-covered activation

seconds
seconds

Time after irradiation ends

Results

Total Activity

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Specific Activity

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Dose Rate at 1m

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Saturation Activity

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Results Table

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is neutron activation analysis?

Neutron activation analysis is a technique where materials are exposed to neutron radiation, causing stable isotopes to become radioactive. The resulting radioactivity can be measured to determine elemental composition and concentrations.

How do I interpret the cadmium ratio?

The cadmium ratio is the ratio of activation with bare neutrons to activation with cadmium-filtered neutrons. Higher ratios indicate a greater thermal neutron component in the flux.

What safety considerations apply to activated samples?

Activated samples can pose radiation hazards. Always follow radiation safety protocols, use appropriate shielding, limit exposure time, and allow for adequate decay before handling.

How accurate are these calculations?

The calculations provide estimates based on theoretical cross-sections and decay constants. Actual results may vary due to neutron spectrum variations, self-shielding effects, and measurement uncertainties.

What is saturation activity?

Saturation activity is the maximum activity that would be reached if irradiation continued indefinitely. It represents the equilibrium between production and decay rates.

Can I use this for fast neutron activation?

This calculator primarily focuses on thermal neutron activation. For fast neutron reactions, different cross-sections and thresholds apply, which may not be fully represented in these calculations.