Development of analytical methodology for the determination of boron by heavy ion activation analysis

Boron (B) concentration in nuclear grade materials, used in reactor, is one of the most important parameters that decide its acceptability for nuclear applications due to its high thermal neutron absorption cross section. Reliable analytical methods are essential for the determination of B in materials used in nuclear reactor. To date there exists large number analytical techniques, both non-nuclear (e.g., ICP-OES, ICP-MS) and nuclear (e.g., PGNAA, PIGE, NRA and CPAA), for the determination of B in the range of % to ppb levels. Considering the importance of determination of B at trace / ultra trace levels there exists always a challenge for the development of newer analytical methodology. The light particle ion beam (e.g. proton) has been already applied to determine B using online or short lived activation product like ¹¹C, ¹³N, etc. It has been found that nuclear reactions of B with heavy ion beam like ²⁰Ne can give rise to isotopic product in the position of sodium in isotopic table (e.g., ²²Na, ²⁴Na). As these are good activation product for CPAA technique, an attempt has been made to explore the determination of B using heavy ion beam