Determination of fluorine by low energy deuteron activation: Comparison with a prompt nuclear technique

A nuclear activation method for fluorine based on ¹⁹F(d,p) ²⁰F reaction (half-life: 11.0 s) is described. For counting, a device meant for 'prompt' γ-ray measurements was used in the 'delayed' mode, requiring no transfer of the irradiated target to the detector. The method is simple, rapid, well suited for routine analytical work and is feasible only at low energies (<3 MeV). The calculated detection limits are at 1-5 μg/g level in metals and 10-35 μg/g level in geological samples. It was shown that such a device could be utilized also for the 'cyclic' activation with charged particles. Further, some analyses were performed with 2.5 MeV protons applying Coulomb excitation technique, based on ¹⁹F(p,p' γ) ¹⁹F reaction, and a comparison of both the methods was made.