Optimation of fluorine detection for biological and geological applications with a nuclear microprobe

A review of the nuclear reactions used to determine fluorine is presented. In order to optimize the detection of fluorine in biological or in geological samples, a comparison of the performances obtained with the three nuclear reactions19F(p, α0)16O,19F(p, αγ)16O,19F(p, p'γ)19F was made. The last reaction was chosen for its sensitivity. The homogeneity of biological and geological standard samples, the linearity of the calibration curves, and the stability of fluorine under the beam were tested.