US3780294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Applications of nuclear resonance fluorescence of gamma rays to elemental analysis
Assignee: Australian Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1971-05-05
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for using nuclear resonance fluorescence of gamma rays for element analysis. The method involves irradiating a sample with gamma rays of the required critical energy and at the same time detecting the resonantly scattered radiation from the sample. The technique is particularly adaptable to borehold prospecting, on-stream analysis in industry, the exploration of the ocean floor for mineral deposits, the analysis of the surface of planets and so forth.
Inventors
- 👤 B Sowerby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a gaseous radioisotope source decaying via a stable isotope of the element and yielding gamma -rays of the critical energy required for resonance scattering, in which source the motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following previous radioactive decays is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the source reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays from the element being measured.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a gaseous radioisotope source decaying via a stable isotope of the element and yielding gamma -rays of the critical energy required for resonance scattering, in which source the motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following previous radioactive decays is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the source reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays from the element being measured.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
110 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a gaseous radioisotope source decaying via a stable isotope of the element and yielding gamma -rays of the critical energy required for resonance scattering, in which source the motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following previous radioactive decays is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the source reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays which have been attenuated by the element being measured.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
110 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a gaseous radioisotope source decaying via a stable isotope of the element and yielding gamma -rays of the critical energy required for resonance scattering, in which source the motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following previous radioactive decays is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the source reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays which have been attenuated by the element being measured.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a source of gamma -rays of the required critical resonance energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the sourCe reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays from the element being measured, said source of gamma -rays comprising an intimate mixture of a radioisotope source and a target material so that particles from the radioactive decay induce nuclear reactions on colliding with the target material, and in which motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following the nuclear reaction is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a source of gamma -rays of the required critical resonance energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the sourCe reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays from the element being measured, said source of gamma -rays comprising an intimate mixture of a radioisotope source and a target material so that particles from the radioactive decay induce nuclear reactions on colliding with the target material, and in which motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following the nuclear reaction is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a source of gamma -rays of the required critical resonance energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the source reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays which have been attenuated by the element of interest being measured, the source of gamma -rays comprising intimate mixture of a radioisotope source and a target material so that particles from the radioactive decay induce nuclear reactions on colliding with the target material, and in which motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following the nuclear reaction is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for quantitatively measuring the concentration of a particular element, said device comprising a source of gamma -rays of the required critical resonance energy, a shield to prevent the direct gamma -rays from the source reaching the detector, and a detector for detecting resonantly scattered gamma -rays which have been attenuated by the element of interest being measured, the source of gamma -rays comprising intimate mixture of a radioisotope source and a target material so that particles from the radioactive decay induce nuclear reactions on colliding with the target material, and in which motion of the gamma -emitting nucleus following the nuclear reaction is used to Doppler broaden the energy of the emitted gamma -ray so that a proportion of these gamma -rays are of the required critical energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a gamma -ray scatterer and wherein the sample to be analyzed is placed between the source and the scatterer of the element being measured, the resonantly scattered gamma -rays from said scatterer being measured in the detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 comprising a gamma -ray scatterer and wherein the sample to be analyzed is placed between the source and said scatterer of the element measured, the resonantly scattered gamma -rays from said scatterer being measured in the detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |