neutron activation analysis (NAA)

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is a sensitive laboratory technique used to determine the composition of materials by measuring the elements present within them. It involves irradiating a sample with neutrons, causing the elements to become radioactive. As these elements decay, they emit gamma rays, which are detected and analyzed. By measuring the intensity and energy of the gamma rays, scientists can identify and quantify the different elements in the sample. NAA is often used in fields like archaeology, environmental science, and forensic analysis due to its precision and ability to analyze small quantities of materials.