Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis

• Published in: Elemental Analysis by Particle Accelerators pp. 243 - 278
• Main Author: England, J. B. A.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: CRC Press 1992
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Scattered Particle; Transmission Geometry; Recoil Particles; Recoil Proton; ERDA; ΔE Detector; Lithium Isotopes; Host Substrate; Scattered Projectile; Elastic Scattering Cross Sections; Target Nucleus; Resonant Nature; Recoil Angle; Gas Target; High Energy Regime; MeV Alpha Particle; Hydrogen Isotopes; Recoiling Nucleus; Elastic Scattering; Detector Telescope; Helium Isotopes; Low Energy Regime; Multiple Scattering; Incident Projectile; Recoil Spectrum
• ISBN: 0849360315; 9780849360312
• DOI: 10.1201/9781003068426-5

The assay of light elements below boron in the periodic table poses special problems for nuclear techniques. Activation analysis methods are usually not suitable and other prompt processes, such as fast, have considerable uncertainties because of the resonant nature of the absorption cross sections. A technique which can be used, and which is not generally affected by resonances, is elastic recoil detection analysis. If light nucleus is in the surface of a thick substrate, the bombardment is at near-glancing incidence and the recoil is at a similar near-glancing exit angle. The choice of these two angles depends on the mass of the projectile, the mass of the recoiling nucleus, the energy of the projectile, the depth at which the target nucleus is located in the substrate, and the material of this host substrate. Elastic scattering is simplest nuclear reaction which can take place. A fast-moving incident nuclear projectile strikes a stationary nuclear target, is scattered, and the struck target recoils.