Target preparation and characterization for multielemental analysis of liquid samples by use of accelerators

Elastic scattering at forward angles is tested as a useful alternative meth od to characterize liquid samples of scientific and/or technological intere st. Solid residues of such samples deposited on light backings have been bo mbarded with 16 MeV Li-7 and 24 MeV O-16 beams in order to determine the ex perimental configuration giving the best elemental mass separation, The ela stically scattered ions were detected at 16 degrees, 20 degrees and 28 degr ees with surface barrier detectors. The ratios between the mass separation and the line width obtained in the spectral region between carbon and oxyge n varied between 2 and 13. This method is particularly useful for an accura te elemental characterization below sodium which is beyond the scope of sta ndard techniques such as PIXE and TXRF provided the ion beam type, its kine tic energy and the target thickness are considered simultaneously. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.