Abstract

• The half-life of nickel in sulfide ore samples was determined by using neutron activation analysis. In NAA method, the samples were activated by Am-Be (α,n) isotopic neutron source. Its strength is 550 mCi, average neutron energy is about 3 MeV and half-life is 432 years. After irradiation, the gamma radiation of the samples were collected and calculated by using GM (ST-360) counter. Since, the resulting half-life of the sample is 70 days, the possible reaction of nickel is confirmed as 58Ni (n, p) 58Co. The best choice is this nuclear reaction for ore sample. This reaction is confirmed by calculating the half-life of this reaction. 58Ni (n, p) 58Co is the best reaction because it has suitable energy and half-life.