SUBJECT

Title

Nuclear analytical methods and their application in Earth sciences and archeometry 1

Type of instruction

lecture + practical

Level

master

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Part of degree program

Geology MSc

Credits

Recommended in

Semester 1

Typically offered in

Autumn semester

Course description

Aims of the subject: To develop an understanding of the basics of nuclear analysis, learn about the modern trends of neutron activation analysis (NAA), prompt-gamma neutron activation analysis (PGAA), neutron radiography and tomography (NR/NT). During the practical lessons, the students can prepare the samples for measurements, they will measure the samples, fit the spectra and analyze them.

Syllabus: Nuclear chemistry, Cosmochemistry, Natural radioactivity, Radiation safety, Dosimetry, Neutron sources, Detectors, Instrumentation, Collecting spectra and fitting spectra, Basics of NAA, Standardization, Sample preparation, Short and long term irradiation.

Readings

G.R. Choppin, J. Rydberg (1980): Nuclear Chemistry. Pergamon Press, New York
R. Zeisler, N. Vajda, G. Lamaze, G.L. Molnár (2003): Activation Analysis. In: Handbook of Nuclear Chemistry. E.d. A. Vértes, S. Nagy, Z. Klencsár. p. 303-362., Kluwer, Netherlands.