neutronikiirgus

Neutronikiirgus, often translated as neutron activation, is a phenomenon in nuclear physics where atomic nuclei absorb neutrons. This absorption typically results in the formation of an unstable isotope of the same element. The unstable isotope then decays, often emitting gamma rays, beta particles, or alpha particles, in a process called radioactive decay. The emitted gamma rays are particularly characteristic of the specific isotope formed, allowing for its identification.

The process of neutron activation is a fundamental principle behind neutron activation analysis (NAA). NAA is a highly sensitive and versatile analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample. In NAA, a sample is irradiated with neutrons in a nuclear reactor or a neutron generator. The neutrons are absorbed by the nuclei of the elements present, making them radioactive. The characteristic gamma rays emitted by these activated isotopes are then measured using a detector. By analyzing the energy and intensity of these gamma rays, scientists can identify and quantify the elements present in the original sample, even at very low concentrations.

Neutron activation has applications in a wide range of fields, including geology, archaeology, environmental science, forensics, and materials science. For example, it can be used to trace the origin of artifacts, detect pollutants in water or air, identify trace elements in semiconductor materials, and confirm the authenticity of artwork. The ability of NAA to analyze samples non-destructively in many cases is also a significant advantage.