Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) and Particle-Induced Gamma-Ray Emission (PIGE)

Recent developments in the field of ion beam analysis (IBA) have rendered nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) as two of the most promising techniques for the quantitative analysis and concentration depth profiling of light isotopes in complex matrices. This article summarizes the basic principles of both techniques, their strong points and weaknesses, as well as, the practical aspects for their implementation, including equipment and software packages. Moreover, special emphasis is put on the crucial issue of differential cross-section libraries and evaluations.

Keywords: nuclear reaction analysis; NRA; ion beam analysis; IBA; particle induced gamma-ray emission; PIGE