Proton-induced Gamma-ray Emission Research Articles

PIXE analysis of thick target biological samples in vacuum

Analysis of thick target biological samples in vacuum is beset with several difficulties. The major problem is that the measured peak areas for the analysed trace elements increase with increasing current density. In this paper we show that powdering the sample and mixing with yttrium spiked graphite overcomes this problem and also removes charging difficulties. When calculating thick target yields for PIXE analysis we need to know the major components of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. The use of techniques such as deuteron and proton induced gamma ray emission and non-Rutherford backscattering for determining these elements is discussed.

Fluorine in fifteen GSJ geochemical reference samples as determined by proton induced gamma ray emission spectrometry /PIGE/

Fifteen geochemical reference samples /GRS/ issued from the Geological Survey of Japan have been analyzed by an automated proton induced γ-ray emission /PIGE/ method for fluorine. Results of determinations are reported. Values are given for many GRS that have not previously been analyzed for fluorine.

The application of proton-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) analysis to the rapid determination of fluorine in geological materials

A direct non-destructive proton-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) technique for the determination of fluorine in a wide variety of geological materials is presented. The method is based on the nuclear reaction 19F(p,αγ) 16O. The pressed powder pellets of geological samples are irradiated by means of a 3-MeV Van de Graaff accelerator as a source of protons. Under our operating conditions, the detection limit is around 25 ppm. Precision and accuracy of the results are discussed. The merits of the PIGE method are compared with those of other analytical methods.

Recent ion beam analysis studies on archaeology and art

Recent ion beam analysis studies of archaeological and art material, which have been carried out at the AAEC's Lucas Heights Research Laboratories, are described and the facilities available briefly discussed. Techniques used in the studies include particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) with both protons and alpha particles as the incident ions, proton induced gamma-ray emission (PIGME), Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and forward recoil analysis. The materials studied include obsidian, pottery and desert varnish, and both provenance and dating studies are discussed. A brief description of data analysis and the use of statistical assessments for data interpretation is also included.

Determination of Fluorine in Eighty International Geochemical Reference Samples by Proton Induced Gamma Ray Emission Spectrometry (PIGE)

Fluorine content has been determined non destructively in eighty international geochemical reference samples (GRS) including rocks, soils, sediments, minerals and ores, by proton induced gamma ray emission spectrometry (PIGE) using the nuclear reaction 19F(p,αγ) 16O. Under our operating conditions, the detection limit is around 25 ppm. Our analytical results are compared with the presently preferred values when available or with other published data. The general agreement between this work and reported values is reasonably good. The present paper includes results on several GRS for which existing data are rather scarce or even inexistant.

Determination of Fluorine in NBS Coal and Coal Fly Ash by Proton Induced Gamma Ray Emission and Spark Source Mass Spectrometry

Fluorine concentrations in US National Bureau of Standards standard reference materials 1632a (coal) and 1633a (coal fly ash) have been determined by proton induced gamma ray emission (PIGME) and spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) using the method of standard additions. Good agreement was obtained between the two techniques with no significant bias. The mean values for 1632a and 1633a were 178 +/- 18 mg kg/sup -1/ and 109 +/- 11 mg kg/sup -1/ respectively. 10 references, 1 table.

Identification of Chemical Compounds in Fly Ash by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Proton-Induced X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Emission Analyses

ABSTRACTProton-induced X-ray emmision and proton-induced gamma-ray emission analyses have been used to determine the elemental content of four oil fly ash samples collected from the flue line of an oil-fired power plant. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to characterize the vanadium and nickel compounds present in the fly ash. Vanadium was present primarily as VOSO4·3H2O and nickel was present as a mixture of NiSO4 and NiO.