TABLE OF CONTENTS R.Zeisler 1 , N.Vajda 2 , G.Latnaze 1 , G.L.Moln r 3
1 Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, U.S.A.
2 Institute of Nuclear Techniques, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
3 Institute of Isotope and Surface Chemistry, Chemical Research Center, Budapest, Hungary
This document presents the basic principles of activation analysis and details different types of it. Emphasis is given to instrumental neutron activation analysis and radiochemical separations for the determination of trace and ultra-trace elements. Location sensitive analysis is also included.
In their early experiments with rare earth elements, Georg Hevesy and his student Hilde Levi observed that some of the elements became highly radioactive when exposed to irradiation with neutrons. Hevesy recognized that this method could be used for the qualitative detection of the rare earth elements, and he and Levi were the first to report on the new method of activation analysis (Hevesy and Levi 1936). At that time, the element discrimination was based on the half-life rather than the energy of the emitted radiation.
However, the method of neutron activation analysis (NAA) was not used much after its discovery. Only when the developing reactor technology in the 1950 s made more neutron sources available, a rapid growth in NAA occurred. It should be noted that the initial development was combined with skilful advancements in radiochemistry since the radionuclides of interest had to be separated from interfering activities. This growth was further enhanced when proportional counters were replaced with...
