Nuclear activation analysis

Nuclear activation analysis (NAA) is a method for qualitatively and quantitatively detg elemental compn by means of nuclear transmutations. The method involves the irradiation or bombardment of samples with nuclear particles or high-energy electromagnetic radiation for the specific purpose of creating radioactive isotopes from the stable or naturally-occurring elements present. From the numbers, types and quantities of radioactive elements or radionuclides, it is possible to deduce information about the elemental compn of the original sample... 

Keisch, B. (2003), The Atomic Fingerprint Nuclear Activation Analysis, University Press of the Pacific. 

Brune, D., S. Malts son, and K. Liden Application of a Betatron in Photo-nuclear Activation Analysis. The 1968 International Conference Modem Trends in Activation Analysis, Gaithersburg, Maryland, October 7—11, 1968, Paper 2. 

In practice, nuclear activation analysis is carried out by placing thesample to be examined in a nuclear reactor. The neutrons available in the reactor bring about the n/c (neutron/gamma ray) reactions described above. The radioactive sample is then removed from the reactor and examined with a gamma ray spectrometer. This device measures the type and intensity of radiation released by the sample. These data can then be compared to standard tables to determine which elements and the amounts of each are present in the sample. 

Excellent, comprehensive treatments of the principles and fundamentals of nuclear activation analysis - including applications fundamentals - are found in the following five consecutive chapters in the first edition of Treatise on Analytical Chemistry Finston (1971a) (Radioactive and isotopic methods of analysis nature, scope, limitations, and interrelations) Finston (1971b) (Nuclear radiations characteristics and detection) Crouthamel and Heinrich (1971) (Radiochemical separations) Seaman (1971) (Tracer techniques) and Guinn (1971) (Activation analysis). A series of seven similarly comprehensive chapters appeared in the updated second edition Lieser (1986), (Fundamentals of nuclear activation and radioisotopic methods of analysis) Herpers... 

Determinative methods included under generic heading of nuclear activation analysis are all nuclear techniques INAA, RNAA, PGAA, photon activation, charged particle activation, etc. and include all variants of activation, pre- and post-irradiation decomposition/separation and counting. (2—7) Refer to footnotes to Table 2.7. 

Cornelis R and Versieck J (1986) Biological materials. In Hoste J, general author. In Elving PJ, Krivan V and KoltholF IM, eds. Treatise on analytical chemistry. Part I (Theory and practice). 2nd edition. Vol 14, section K (Nuclear activation and radioisotopic methods of analysis). Chapter 8, Applications of nuclear activation analysis, pp. 665—684. John Wiley Sons, New York. 

Chapter 8, Applications of nuclear activation analysis, pp. 739-757. John Wiley Sons, New York. 

Erdtmann, G., Petri, H., 1986. Nuclear activation analysis fundamentals and techniques. In Elving, P. (Ed.), Treatise on Analytical Chemistry, part 1, Vol. 14, Wiley, Inc., New York, pp. 419-643. 

Erdtmann G and Petri H (1986) Nuclear activation analysis Fundamentals and techniques. Treatise on Analytical Chemistry 14 419-643. 

Erdtmann G, Petri H (1986) Nuclear activation analysis fundamentals and techniques. In Elving PJ (ed) Treatise on analytical chemistry. Wiley, New York Fliigge S (1939) Die Naturwissenschaften 23/24 403 Glasstone S (1967) Sourcebook on atomic energy, von Nostrand, Princeton... 

Radionuclides are used in many subdivisions of analytical chemistry (see Table 1). Of major importance are radiotracers in methodological and pathway studies, isotope dilution analysis (IDA), radioimmunoassay, and nuclear activation analysis (AA) (- Activation Analysis) [66]. They are all especially suited to analyze the extremely small amounts of substances encountered in ultra-trace analysis or in trace analysis of microsamples. 

W. W. Meinke, The ultimate contribution of nuclear activation analysis, Proc. of 4th Int. Conf. on Modern Trends in Activation Analysis, Saclay, France, October 1972, J. Radioanalytical Chem. (in press). 

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