neutroniaktivaatio

Neutroniaktivaatio is a technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample. It involves bombarding the sample with neutrons, which are then absorbed by the atomic nuclei within the sample. This absorption process can cause some of these nuclei to become unstable, forming radioactive isotopes. These newly formed radioactive isotopes then decay, emitting characteristic gamma rays. The energy and intensity of these emitted gamma rays are unique to each specific isotope. By measuring and analyzing these gamma rays, scientists can identify the elements present in the sample and quantify their amounts. This method is highly sensitive and can detect trace amounts of elements. Neutroniaktivaatio has applications in various fields, including archaeology for analyzing artifacts, environmental monitoring for detecting pollutants, and geology for studying rock and mineral composition. It is a non-destructive technique, meaning the sample remains largely intact after the analysis. The process requires a neutron source, which can be a nuclear reactor or a particle accelerator. The resulting radiation is managed through standard safety protocols.