Developments in nuclear microprobe analysis the measurement of the spatial distribution of stable isotope tracers

The potential of the nuclear microprobe for the determination of spatial distributions of stable isotope tracers has been examined. In a preliminary study the sensitivity of the isotope selective modes of operation of the microprobe (backscattering and nuclear reaction analysis) for the measurement of stable isotopes was examined using Mg, Si, Ni and Co as examples. The use of backscattering analysis coupled with high resolution detectors and heavy ion beams was assessed using Mg, Si, Ni and Ag as examples and found to be of limited application for stable isotope tracer studies. [Continues.]