Neutron Activation Analysis Using Daughter Activity

Abstract

The neutron activation analysis of platinum (an element which yields a short-lived radioactive species, ¹⁹⁹Pt) in biological tissue has been demonstrated by the analysis of the longer lived radioactive ¹⁹⁹Au daughter of the ¹⁹⁹Pt. The longer lived gold allows the radiochemical separation of sodium from the trace elements present in biological tissue and permits a more leisurely counting technique. Linearity of the net counts per µg of platinum versus µg of platinum added has been demonstrated. This technique provides a useful method for the analysis of any element whose short-lived radioisotope decays to a longer lived daughter.