Analysis and profiling of the light element isotopes; A new approach using non-elastic recoil following heavy ion nuclear reactions

Abstract

A new method is proposed and described for the analysis and profiling on the light element isotopes 1H through 19F. The method is based on the detection of recoil products following nuclear reactions in which the product yield is constrained to lie in a forward cone of half angle θ crit , the value of which is defined by the reaction kinematics. The main features which set apart non-elastic recoil profiling from other methods are: it is non-destructive; while an accelerator must be used initially, by choosing to observe radioactive products analysis can be done off-line; the whole element profile is given by a single irradiation which possibly might be done in air; it has potential for multi-element analysis/profiling. Suitable reactions are identified for the analysis and profiling of each of the main isotopes of the light elements and a number of them discussed in detail. Features affecting the profiling depth, depth resolution and sensitivity are discussed.