Laboratories for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis
Thirty four elements commonly found in environmental and biological samples - Al, Ca, Cu, Mn, Ti, V, As, Ba, Br, K, La, Na, U, Ag, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Yb and Zn are determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis using the k0 method (k0-INAA) that was established at the Portuguese Research Reactor (RPI).
The elements from Al to V that produce short-lived nuclides are analyzed by a short irradiation on SIPRA - a Fast Pneumatic Sample Transfer System - and then counted on a coupled Ge detector.
The elements from As to Zn that produce medium and long lived nuclides are analyzed by a long time irradiation at Cell55 or Cell56 of the RPI and then measured on Ge detectors associated with automatic sample changers
A Compton Suppression System (CSS) is available to improve the detection limits of specific elements.
Equipment
4 Germanium detectors
3 DSPEC Jr 2.0
1 DSPEC PRO
2 Automatic Sample Changers
Compton Suppression System
Fast Pneumatic Transfer System
Equipment partially funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia – National Plan for Scientific Re-equipment REEQ/1075/FIS/2005
Contact Person: Marta Almeida
219946124