Studies in heavy ion activation analysis

A procedure for measuring trace amounts of Li and Be in different types of samples has been studied using a 12.5 MeV¹⁴N beam. At this energy the principal nuclear reactions are⁶Li(¹⁴N, d)¹⁸F,⁷Li(¹⁴N, t)¹⁸F, and⁹Be(¹⁴N, αn)¹⁸F. Detection limit for destructive analysis for either beryllium or lithium has been calculated at 300 ppb with a determination limit of 5 ppm for an irradiation with a beam of 1 μA·h/cm². Destructive analysis was performed on CANMET SY-2 and USGS BCR-1 (rock samples 1–10 ppm Be). Non-destructive analysis for beryllium and lithium was performed on NBS SRM 610 (500 ppm trace element glass), NBS 612 (50 ppm trace element glass), and NBS SRM 181 (Spodumene ore, 6.4% Li₂O). Detection limit of 2 ppm has been calculated for nondestructive analysis of either lithium or beryllium.