Development of techniques for light isotope analysis at LIBAF

Abstract: The overall goal of this thesis is to test new detector technologies and data acquisition systems, for use in Ion Beam Analysis IBA. This is intended to complement the existing setup, which is routinely used at Lund Ion beam Analysis Facility LIBAF. Proton induced X-ray emission is a well-known method for trace element analysis of heavier elements, but trace element analysis of elements below aluminum can still be somewhat elusive. This work aims to explore the methods for light element determination and isotope analysis within IBA. To that end methods for quantification of hydrogen and measurement of isotopic ratio of oxygen in geological samples are evaluated with the help of new detectors. Hydrogen is the most abundant and oxygen the third most abundant element in the universe. Together they form the most common molecule, water. It is in no way surprising that the quantification of content and distribution of these elements is of great industrial and scientific importance. Hydrogen impurities are a common problem for many materials, for instance at grain boundaries in semiconductors. They affect a great number of properties such as electrical conductivity and tensile strength. Variation of isotopic ratio of oxygen isotopes is a marker for various physical and chemical processes. For instance it is a basis of a method for measurement of temperature changes over geological timescales. Any setup which can accurately measure those two elements is a valuable extension for an IBA facility. The tested equipment will be included in a permanent station, currently under construction at LIBAF in which light element quantification and isotope analysis can be performed routinely.