Determination of calcium,strontium and barium in single crystals of alkali halides by neutron activation

The determination by neutron activation of trace quantities of calcium, strontium and barium in single crystals of alkali halides has been studied. The matrix is eliminated before the irradiation by an ion-exchange procedure. Gamma spectroscopy after radiochemical separation is used to determine strontium and barium. Calcium is determined by measuring the β-activity of ⁴⁹Sc formed by the decay of ⁴⁹Ca. Long-lived radioactive tracers are used to determine the chemical yields.