Neutron activation analysis
NAA is a nuclear process used to determine the concentration of
elements in given material.
A non-radioactive sample can sometimes become radioactive after
bombardment with gamma radiation.
Activation analysis – analytical technique in which radiation induced
by bombardment.
Photon activation analysis – which utilise gamma rays in
bombardment.
NAA – Which utilises neutron for bombardment, Lack of charge &
mass of neutron allows efficient penetration and energetic transfer to
the nucleus.
What is NAA:
• Activation analysis has, become one of the most important
methods for determination of minor, trace, and ultra-trace
elements in solid samples. The main advantages of activation
analysis are its accuracy and sensitivity.
• Analytical technology in which radioactive emission are
monitored from a sample that has been bombarded with neutron.
• NAA is qualitative, quantitative analysis for trace elements. It
measures specific radiation from radioactive nuclei.
History –
Discovered in 1936 by George Charles de Hevesy (hungry) and Hilde
levy (Denmark)
Each radioactive element has specific and well-known decay rate.
(Half-life) By measuring the decay rate element and its concentration
can be found.
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Mechanism –
• Sample is bombarded with neutrons → they make radioactive
isotopes → that emits particles that is beta particles and gamma
rays.
• Beta particles emission is energy wise more continuous than
gamma rays. Its emission is discrete.
• Gamma rays – emission is measured preferably. Beta ray’s
emission is more sensitive.
• The energy imparted by the neutron → that give energy to
radioactive molecules nucleus that excites the nucleolus into
high energy level.
• This excited state is unfavourable so compound nucleolus emits
Beta rays and Gamma rays to relax and be in stable
configuration.
• Most stable configuration leads radioactive nucleolus.
• Now newly formed radioactive nucleus decay by emitting,
alpha, beta, gamma photons.
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• The decay process depends upon the particle and their half-life
it’s slower.
Forensic application–
1. Trace element examination
2. Poisoning by metal’s
3. Hair, nail examination
Prompt gamma neutron activation (PGAA)
• Nuclear decay produces gamma rays and beta rays and these
rays are measured during neutron irradiation.
• Short irradiation time, approx. few seconds.
• Applied to – extremely high neutron capture, decay too rapidly,
produce only stable isotopes, with weak decay gamma ray
intensities.
Delayed gamma neutron activation (DGNA)
• Decay products are measured after the irradiation.
• Long irradiation time long decay time (hours, weeks, days)
• Applied to – elements that forms artificial radio isotopes, high
selectivity.
Forms of NAA
1. Distractive 2. Non destructive
1. Destructive: sample is chemically manipulated after
bombardment.
• Chemical separation is done after irradiation to concentrate the
radioisotopes of interest and this technique is – radio chemical
NAA.
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• That result in radioactive sample may chemically decomposed
elements. (Chromatography or electrochemical separation)
2. Non-Distractive: The resulting radioactive sample kept intact.
• We can measure more than 30 samples without chemical
procedure. Application is purely instrumental. That’s why called
INAA
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