Microanalysis of light elements by means of a nuclear microprobe: Application to boron compounds

The nuclear microanalysis is an elemental analysis technique based on the u se of the atomic and nuclear interactions of a light ion microbeam with the sample to be analyzed. Both light particles and photons (X, gamma) are det ected. The determination of the local stoichiometry of boron-based compound s is possible with the use of nuclear reactions. Boron and carbon mapping o f YPd-based borocarbides is presented. Additional possibilities of in-depth carbon profiling are also reported. (C) 2000 Academic Press.