Thirty four elements commonly found in environmental and biological samples - Al, Ca, Cu, Mn, Ti, V, As, Ba, Br, K, La, Na, U, Ag, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Yb and Zn are determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis using the k0 method (k0-INAA) that was established at the Portuguese Research Reactor (RPI).
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The elements from Al to V that produce short-lived nuclides are analyzed by a short irradiation on SIPRA - a Fast Pneumatic Sample Transfer System - and then counted on a coupled Ge detector. |
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The elements from As to Zn that produce medium and long lived nuclides are analyzed by a long time irradiation at Cell55 or Cell56 of the RPI and then measured on Ge detectors associated with automatic sample changers. |
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A Compton Suppression System (CSS) is available to improve the detection limits of specific elements. |
Equipment
- 4 Germanium detectors
- 3 DSPEC Jr 2.0
- 1 DSPEC PRO
- 2 Automatic Sample Changers
- Compton Suppression System
- Fast Pneumatic Transfer System
Researcher responsible for the laboratories: Marta Almeida (smarta@ctn.ist.utl.pt)
Equipment partially funded by
Managing Authority and Funding
FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
National Plan for Scientific Re-equipment
Project reference: REEQ/1075/FIS/2005