RADIOACTIVATION ANALYSIS

Technical Report · Wed Nov 30 04:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4093675

Leddicotte, G W

Radioactivation analysis is one in which an activation by a nuclear reaction is used to produce a radioisotope of the element. Since this radioisotope decays with characteristic radiations and half life, it is possible to make radioactivation analysis a very specific analysis. Chemical separations of the radioisotope are employed whenever necessary and its activity is measured by a radiation counter. Nuclear reactions involving particle sources of alpha 's, deuterons, gamma 's, neutrons, and photons can be used in radioactivation analysis. The neutron reactions were used most often in activation analysis. The most useful neutron reaction (n, gamma ) involves the capture of a neutron by a stable nucleus to produce a radioisotope of the original atom. Since nuclear reactors are prolific sources of (n, gamma ) reactions, it was possible to use activation analysis in many applications requiring an analytical method of great sensitivity and specificity. Techniques used in radioactivation analyses are described and the limits of measurement and general applications of the method are discussed. 54 references. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-010832
• OSTI ID: 4093675
• Report Number(s): CF-60-11-124
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ALPHA PARTICLES
ALPHA SOURCES
CAPTURE
CHEMISTRY
COUNTERS
DEUTERONS
ELEMENTS
GAMMA RADIATION
HALF-LIFE
MEASURED VALUES
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
PARTICLE SOURCES
PARTICLES
PHOTONS
PRODUCTION
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
SENSITIVITY
SEPARATION PROCESSES