Neutron activation

Neutron activation occurs when a nucleus captures a neutron and becomes a radioactive isotope. The resulting isotope can be identified by measuring its radioactive decay.

Neutron capture: A nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus absorbs a neutron. This capture is the step that turns a stable target nucleus into a radioactive product.
Neutron activation analysis: An analytical method that identifies and quantifies elements by measuring radioactivity induced by neutron irradiation. It turns neutron activation into a method for determining a sample’s elemental composition.
Atomic nucleus: The small, dense central region of an atom, containing protons and neutrons. Neutron activation changes the nucleus while leaving the element’s proton count unchanged.
Prompt gamma activation analysis: An elemental analysis method that measures prompt gamma rays emitted after neutron capture. Unlike delayed activation measurements, it detects radiation during irradiation.
Radioactive decay: The spontaneous transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus, accompanied by emitted particles or radiation. Activated isotopes decay and emit the radiation used to detect them.
Instrumental neutron activation analysis: Neutron activation analysis in which irradiated samples are measured without prior chemical separation. This variant measures activated samples directly, preserving them for further study.
Isotope: One of two or more nuclides with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Capturing a neutron creates a heavier isotope of the target element.
X-ray fluorescence: An analytical technique that identifies elements by measuring characteristic X-rays emitted after excitation. It determines elemental composition without creating radioactive isotopes through neutron capture.
Gamma spectroscopy: A technique that identifies radioactive substances by measuring the energies of emitted gamma rays. Gamma-ray energies reveal which activated isotopes formed in a sample.
Radiochemical neutron activation analysis: Neutron activation analysis that separates radioactive products chemically before measurement. Chemical separation can isolate target products when direct measurement is insufficient.

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