Development of particle induced gamma-ray emission methods for low Z elements and applications to materials important for nuclear technology

Particle induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) methods using proton beams from tandem accelerators have been standardized for quantification of low Z elements from Li to Ti including B, C, N, O, F, Si and Al. Current normalization of count rate was carried out by both Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and/or in situ method. The PIGE methods have been applied to (i) barium borosilicate glass for its composition and F content, (ii) Lithium or titanium based ceramics including lithium titanate for simultaneous determination of Li, Ti and O and (iii) Boron based compounds including boron carbide for determination of concentration of total boron and its isotopic composition. Details of methods and applications of PIGE are briefly summarized in this article. (author)