Abstract
Activation analysis has developed as one of trace element analysis. Atom of analyte is activated with nuclear reactions by neutron from nuclear reactor, charged particle from an accelerator or photon from an accelerator. Radiations from activated nuclides are measured with a gamma spectrometer, and determined with compare of the standard. These methods are called as neutron activation analysis (NAA), charged particle activation analysis (CPAA) or photon activation analysis (PAA), respectively. And prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA) and neutron depth profiling (NDP) measuring prompt gamma-rays and prompt charged particles, respectively, from nuclear reactions with low energy neutrons are able to be used. In the field of iron and steel, the numbers of applications for activation analysis are a few except NAA. This paper reviews applications of NAA and CPAA for various iron and steel and reviews principles and characteristics, analysis systems and analytical methods, as well as applications of PGA and NDP.
