Determination of 13 elements with atomic numbers between 12 and 47 by 14-MeV helium-3 activation analysis

Nuclear reactions for the trace determination of the elements Mg, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, and Ag by activation analysis with 14-MeV /sup 3/He ions were investigated. For these reactions, thick target yields were measured and interference-free detection limits were calculated. For an irradiation of 1 h or 1 half-life, whichever is shorter depending on the product nuclide, at 2 ..mu..A, the detection limits are in the range 1--50 ppB for Al, Tl, V, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Nb; 50--100 ppB for Mo; and 100--500 ppB for Mg, Cr, Fe, Zr, and Ag.