Analysis of boron using the (p, α) reaction

The applicability of the strong and broad resonance of the reaction ${}^{11}\text{B(p}\text{, α)}{}^8\text{Be}$ at E_p = 675 keV to the elemental analysis of boron has been studied. To eliminate matrix effects and to optimize the measuring conditions a systematic study of the absolute thick-target yields of α-particles following proton bombardment has been carried out at E_p = 0.7 and 1.0 MeV for the elements Z = 3?9, 11?17s by. Summary spectra showing the α-peaks of light elements of interest in the elemental analysis of boron are given. An external beam measurement system has been developed to allow measurements to be carried out in He-gas at atmospheric pressure. Thus, problems arising in vacuo with insulating, medical and biological samples can be avoided. The detection limits of boron range from 0.1 ppm for biological samples containing nitrogen to below 0.01 ppm for samples with a low nitrogen concentration. An additional advantage of the method is that Li, F and N can be determined simultaneously with the boron analysis.