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 use 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 detected. The determination of the local stoichiometry of boron-based compounds is possible with the use of nuclear reactions. Boron and carbon mapping of YPd-based borocarbides is presented. Additional possibilities of in-depth carbon profiling are also reported