Development of an external (in air) in situ current normalized particle induced gamma-ray emission method utilizing 3.5 MeV proton beam from FOTIA for rapid quantification of low Z elements in glass and ceramic samples

An external particle induced gamma-ray emission (in air) PIGE facility has been set up for the first time at FOTIA, BARC for rapid and non-destructive quantification of low Z elements. Proton beam of energy of 3.5 MeV was obtained on the target using a 25 μm Tantalum window and Ta collimator of 5 mm diameter. The in situ current normalized PIGE method was validated by quantifying low Z elements in a mixed synthetic standard and in two (certified / standard) reference materials namely USGS CRM G2 and NIST SRM 620. The external PIGE method was applied to lithium-based ceramics, boron carbide and soda-lime and borosilicate glass samples for quantification of low Z elements.