Neutronikiinalyysi

Neutronikiinalyysi, also known as neutron activation analysis (NAA), is a highly sensitive nuclear technique used for determining the elemental composition of a sample. It relies on the principle of neutron activation, where stable isotopes within a sample absorb neutrons to become radioactive. These radioactive isotopes then decay, emitting gamma rays with characteristic energies. By measuring the energy and intensity of these gamma rays, scientists can identify and quantify the specific elements present in the sample.

The process typically begins by irradiating the sample with neutrons, often from a nuclear reactor or a neutron generator. Once activated, the sample is placed in a detector, usually a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, which measures the emitted gamma radiation. The resulting gamma-ray spectrum is then analyzed to identify the radionuclides and their respective concentrations. NAA is a non-destructive technique in many cases, meaning the sample can often be analyzed without being altered or destroyed, which is a significant advantage for valuable or irreplaceable materials. It is widely employed in various fields, including geology, archaeology, environmental monitoring, forensics, and materials science, for its ability to detect trace elements with remarkable precision.