IPERION HSIntegrating Platforms for the European Research Infrastructure ON Heritage Science
Technique: Techniques for compositional studies (NAA, PGAA, PGAI)

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) instrument

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is a method for quantitative composition analysis of chemical elements based on the conversion of stable nuclei in the sample to radioactive nuclei by nuclear reactions, followed by the quantitation of the reaction products via their gamma radiations. The k0-standardized neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA), combined with high-resolution and highthroughput gamma-ray spectrometry, offers mostly non-destructive, multi-elemental analysis for many branches of science and technology. NAA has inherently favorable characteristics, negligible matrix effect, excellent selectivity and high sensitivity. Even small amount (few tens of milligrams) of samples (mostly solid) can be measured, in which about 35–75 elements in less than 0.01 μg quantities can be determined.

Potential Results

Major- and trace element analysis for provenance studies, workshop identification or authenticity studies.