Stability monitoring of selected spike isotopic reference materials for isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The provision of high quality spike isotopic reference materials is one of the objectives of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission....     

Evaluation of laboratory performance in IMEP water interlaboratory comparisons

The aim of International Evaluation Programme (IMEP) is to present objectively the quality of chemical measurements. Participants in IMEP compare their reported measurement results with independent external certified reference values with demonstrated traceability and uncertainty, as evaluated according to international guidelines. Three major interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs), IMEP-6, IMEP-9 and IMEP-12, on trace elements in water were carried out from 1994 to 2000. Participants' results for Cd, Fe and Pb concentrations from these three different IMEP water ILCs were compared by means of suitable performance indicators. The performance evaluation criteria were set according to the requirements stated in the Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption. Two different performance indicators were selected for evaluation of the individual participants' results: the commonly used z-score and the not so well-known E _n number. The group performance indicator is based on the variation of z-scores. To assess the individual measurement performance, not only the deviation of the reported measurement values from the certified reference value, but also criteria for maximum and minimum acceptable uncertainties were taken into account. The participants' performance is also reviewed by means of using a simple graphical tool, called “Naji-plots”.     

INAA in the determination of the elemental constituents of a natural fluorite

A complementary use of the comparative and the semi-absolute variations of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has enabled us to determine 22 different elements in a sample of natural fluorite originating from the younger granite province of Nigeria. The mineral has a brownish purple appearance with some veinlets having a deep purple coloration. Of all the 22 elements measured, Fe (851.36 ppm), Sb (7.69 ppm), Ag (87.4 ppm), Hg (2.71 ppm) and Se (1.97 ppm) are found to be exclusive to the veinlets while Au (109.15 ppm), Co (2.15 ppm) and W (173.20 ppm) are concentrated in the main matrix of the fluorite. With the aid of the semi-absolute method, it was possible to measure the Au concentration in the IAEA Soil-7 reference material to be 56.83±5.87% ppm. A qualitative electron microprobe analysis (EMA) showed that the bulk of the matrix is composed mainly of Ca and F, as expected.     

IMEP-12: trace elements in water; objective evaluation of the performance of the laboratories when measuring quality parameters prescribed in the European Directive 98/83/EC

The International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) is an interlaboratory comparison scheme, founded, owned and co-ordinated by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) since 1988. IMEP-12, for the fourth time in the series, focused on trace elements in water and it was designed specifically to support European Commission directive 98/83/EC. Reference values for the concentration of ten elements were established with expanded uncertainties according to GUM. In total, 348 laboratories from 46 countries in five continents participated in the comparison and the degree of equivalence between the results of the laboratories and the reference values is presented graphically. Samples from the same batch were distributed to ten laboratories from European Countries, which represented their country in the framework of the EUROMET project 528. Participation in this comparison was offered to the European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA) for participation of accredited laboratories from all over Europe in the framework of the collaboration between IRMM and EA and to laboratories from the EU new member states and acceding countries in the frame of IRMM’s ‘Metrology in Chemistry support program for EU new member states and acceding countries.’     

90° Compton and Rayleigh measurements and imaging

A simple apparatus for measurement and imaging of objects using scattered X-rays was designed and constructed. This is composed of a well-collimated photon beam from an X-ray tube, a CZT thermoelectrically cooled semiconductor detector and an (x, y, ) translation-rotation table containing the object to be studied. First, the output beam was monochromatized; studies on Compton and Rayleigh scattered radiation were then carried out, including the Compton profile. Then direct bremsstrahlung radiation of proper energy was employed, and energy intervals are selected where Rayleigh or Compton effects largely prevail. Compton images were finally obtained.     

Dependence of NaI(Tl) detector intrinsic efficiency on source-detector distance,energy and off-axis distance: Their implications for radioactivity measurements

In this work the dependence of intrinsic efficiency of a NaI(Tl) detector of radius 3.82 cm and height 7.62 cm on source-detector distance (d), source-off-axis distance (d ₀) and γ-photon energy have been investigated using analytical and Monte Carlo methods. The results showed that, for a given off-axis distance, there exists a value of the ratio of source-detector distance (d) to detector radius (R) where intrinsic efficiency is minimum. This d/R value at which minimum efficiency occurs approaches zero as off-axis distance increases and it is almost constant with increase in energy. In the region where d/R < 0.01, a criteria given by Jehouani et al [1] for good photon detection, intrinsic efficiency decreases with increasing off-axis distance. The implications of the results for radioactivity measurement and radiation protection are discussed. Chacteristics of intrinsic efficiency in the regions d/R < 0.01 and d/R > 10 are also compared.      

Investigation of elemental distributions within a billlgical sample using neutron activation tomography

A preliminary result employing neutron activation tomography in the study of the diffusion of a preservative in a sample of Scots pine is presented. The ability to determine the spatial distribution of elements within the wood without recourse to destructive sectioning makes this a better technique than others currently available.     

Elastic characterization of nanoporous gold foams using laser based ultrasonics

A resonance based laser ultrasonics technique is explored for the characterization of low density nanoporous gold foams. Laser generated zero group velocity (ZGV) lamb waves are measured in the foams using a Michelson interferometer. The amplitude spectra obtained from the processed time-domain data are analyzed using a theoretical model from which the foam Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are obtained. The technique is non-contact and nondestructive, and the ZGV resonance modes are spatially localized, allowing for spatial mapping of the bulk sample properties. The technique may be suitable for process control monitoring and mechanical characterization of low density nanoporous structures.