Imaging Neutron Activation Analysis

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目属于分析和表面化学的一般领域。它建立在第一阶段项目实施过程中取得的成功的基础上。这项研究的长期科学目标是开发真实世界样品的分析方法，改进仪器设备，并使用特征良好的测试样品确定仪器性能的极限。元素的中子活化会产生放射性核素。与放射性核素分解有关的特征伽马射线可以用锗探测器测量。当β粒子离开样品时，在薄样品表面产生的二次电子可以被加速和成像。当这些伽马射线和贝塔粒子被巧合探测到时，伽马射线回答了“什么”的问题，而二次电子则回答了单个放射性核素解体的“在哪里”的问题。这些信息可以组织成元素图和局域伽马射线谱。%此小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将继续最初在第一阶段项目中启动的工作。SBIR计划的一个重要目标是将NSF支持的研究最终转化为技术创新和商业应用。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 project is in the general area of of analytical and surface chemistry. It builds upon the successes realized during the conduct of the Phase 1 project. The long range scientific goals of this research are to develop methods of analysis of real world samples, to make improvements in the instrumentation, and to determine the limits of instrument performance using well characterized test samples. Neutron activation of elements produces radionuclides. Characteristic gamma-rays associated with the radionuclide disintegrations can be measured with germanium detectors. Secondary electrons produced at the surface of a thin sample as a beta-particle exits the sample can be accelerated and imaged. When these gamma-rays and beta-particles are detected in coincidence, the gamma-ray answers the question "what" and the secondary electron answers the question "where" for an individual radionuclide disintegration. This information can be organized into element maps and local area gamma-rays spectra. %%% This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 project will continue the efforts initially started during the Phase 1 project. An important goal of the SBIR Program is the ultimate conversion of NSF-supported research into technological innovation and commercial application.