Quantification of lithium at ppm level in geological samples using nuclear reaction analysis
Nathaly De La Rosa1, Per Kristiansson1, E J Charlotta Nilsson1
11Division of Nuclear Physics, Department of Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
|June 29, 2018
Summary
Proton-induced reaction analysis (NRA) accurately quantifies lithium down to parts per million in geological samples. This nuclear reaction analysis also simultaneously maps boron and heavier elements like sodium.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Materials Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Proton-induced reaction (p,α) is a Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) technique.
- NRA is effective for quantifying light elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify lithium content in geological samples using proton-induced reaction analysis.
- To demonstrate the simultaneous analysis of lithium and boron.
- To utilize Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) for elemental mapping.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 850 keV protons to induce the 7Li(p,α)4He nuclear reaction.
- Applied NRA for lithium quantification in standard reference and geological samples (tourmaline, Li-minerals).
- Employed PIXE as a complementary Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) technique.
Main Results:
- Achieved lithium quantification at concentrations below one part per million (ppm).
- Demonstrated the capability to correlate lithium and boron content in tourmaline samples.
- Obtained absolute concentration and lateral distribution data for lithium and boron.
- Successfully performed simultaneous mapping of elements heavier than sodium using PIXE.
Conclusions:
- Proton-induced reaction analysis is a highly sensitive method for lithium quantification in geological materials.
- The combined NRA and PIXE approach offers comprehensive elemental analysis capabilities.
- This technique is valuable for geochemical studies and material characterization.
Keywords:
Double-sided silicon strip detector (DSSSD)Geological samplesLithium quantificationNuclear reaction analysis (NRA)Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE)More Related Videos
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