Reed Reactor Facility Neutron Activation Analysis Request Form

Please enter the following information.

Your Name:
Contact Email:
Institution or School:
Teacher (if applicable):
Specifically, what elements are you looking for?
What is the form of the samples (liquid, soil, hair, etc.)?
How many samples will there be?
By what date will you need results?
Other Information / Comments: (not required)

Submitting an NAA request:

In addition to the time it takes you to collect the samples, include the following in your timeline (note that this can add up to more than a month):

  • Sample Preparation: Depends on the number and type of the samples. Plan 1-8 hours spent at Reed College.
  • Sample Irradiation: 1-8 hours. You do not need to be present, but you are welcome.
  • Decay time: The samples usually decay for about a week before counting. If you want both long and short-lived isotopes, plan an extra day spent at the reactor doing the short lived ones.
  • Counting time: usually 1-2 hours each, so this could take days.
  • Analysis time: At least a day, perhaps a week.

Note that sample size is limited to approximately 1 cm by 2 cm. If your samples are liquid, it may be necessary to evaporate them down to concentrate them -before- you come to Reed. It is usually best to have two of each sample type to eliminate error, also we will need to prepare a standard for each element you are looking for, and a blank.