Speaker
Zsolt Revay
Description
When an atomic nucleus absorbs a neutron, the excitation energy is emitted in different forms of characteristic radiation. In most cases, prompt and delayed gamma rays are released, whose energy identifies the nuclides, and their intensity is proportioanl to their amounts, i.e. chemical analysis can be performed when using gamma spectrometry. More than 80 years after its discovery, neutron activation analysis is still one of the most sensitive analytical technique for trace elements, while prompt gamma activation analysis is suitable for the bulk analysis of the matrix components. With the combination of the activation analyses, a broad range of samples have been analyzed in archaeometry, geology, material science, investigating the contents of closed container, or following in situ chemical processes.
Charged particles are sometimes also released after the neutron capture and their detection opens new horizons in nuclear analytical techniques. The detection of beta particles following the radioactive decay enable the determination of components not emitting (strong enough) gamma radiation. Neutron Depth Profiling has been successfuly used in the investigation of the distribution of B, Li, and N in thin layers for decades, and recently, the interest has further increased because of its prosperous use in the investigation of Li-ion batteries.
Primary author
Co-authors
Prof.
Bastian Märkisch
(Physik Department, TU München)
Christian Stieghorst
(TUM / FRM II)
Dr
Krzysztof Kleszcz
(TUM, FRM2)
Petra Kudejova
Ralph Gilles
