Nuclear Physics-Module-2: Applications of Nuclear Physics

Vasudevan M V

December 17, 2023

1 Neutron activation analysis

Nearly all radioactive nuclei emit thir charecteristic gamma rays and these gamma ray spectrum can
be used for identification of nucleus. For example neutrons are bombarded on Co-59, it turns in to
beta emitting Co-60. Following beta decay the product (Ni-60) emits two charectristic gamma rays of
1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV. These energies are the signature of the nuclei present in the sample. When
an unknown sample is placed in a neutron flux and it is turned radioactive, by looking
at its gamma ray spectrum, one can identify the nuclei in the sample. This techniques
is called neutron activation analysis. Various applications of this technique are:

• Identify the pottery material composition

• Detect art forgeries.

• Neutron activation analysis of samples of the hair of such historical figures as Napoleon or
Newton has revealed the chemicals to which they were exposed centuries ago.

• The measurement of iridium in soil through neutron activation analysis, led to the theory that
the extinction of the dinosaurs, was caused by the impact of an asteroid or comet somewhere on
Earth.

2 Medical radiation physics

Radioactive isotopes can be introduced into the body in chemical forms and their activity can be
tracked using sensitive devices like gamma ray cameras. For example radio active technicium (Tc-99)
injected to the patient and its high activity found in brain shows an abnormality like a tumor.

2.1 Positron emission tomography (PET)

Patient is subjected to the injection of positron emitting isotope from which emitted positron quickly
decays through pair anhiilation with electron producing gamma radiation of 511 KeV. These gamma
rays could be detected and used to construct a dynamic image of the body part. For example PET
scan of brain can be used to observe brain centers assocaited with various mental activities like hearing
or vision.

2.2 Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy use the effect of radiations in destroying unwanted tissue in the body, such as a
cancerous growth. These radiation ionize the atoms in the cells which take part in chemical reactions
causing destruction of the unwanted cells or genetic modification etc.

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3 Alpha scattering applications

• Alpha particles from radioactive decay can be absorbed and their energy converted into another
form, such as electrical power which can be used in various applications from cardiac pacemakers
to spacecrafts.

• Scattering of alpha particles emitted by a radioactive source is the basis of operation of ionization-
type smoke detectors. alpha particles from the decay are scattered by the ionized atoms that
result from combustion. When the smoke detector senses a decrease in the rate at which alphas
are counted (due to some of them being scattered away from the detector), the alarm is triggered.

• Alpha scattering can be used to study the composition of nuclei-Rutherford scattering of alpha
particles by gold foil. For alpha particles of kinetic energy K and mass m, when scatterd by
target nucleus of mass M , the change in kinetic energy is given by
 4m 
∆K = K ×  M 2 (1)
m
1+ M

4 Superheavy elements
Highly unstable elements starting from neptunium (also known as transuranic elements) can be pro-
duced from neutron capture followed by beta decay. The extreme instability of these transuranic
elements results from the increased Coulomb repulsion of the nuclear protons.