Learning outcomes

This course, given specifically to 1st or 2nd Masters students in chemistry, is designed to introduce them to the concepts of nuclear physics and to familiarise them with the ion beam analysis techniques.

Goals

To provide students with a theoretical understanding of the main ion beam analysis methods used in academic and industrial research.

Content

  1. Nuclear physics basics
  2. Ions-matter interactions
  3. Detection of radiation or particles
  4. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS)
  5. Elastic Recoil Detection (ERD)
  6. (Resonant) Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA or RNRA)
  7. Particle-Induced X- or Gamma-ray Emission (PIXE or PIGE)
  8. Synergy of IBA techniques (Total-IBA)

Table of contents

  1. Basics of nuclear physics
  2. Ion matter Interaction (energy loss, straggling, cross-section)
  3. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS)
  4. Elastic Recoil Detection (ERD)
  5. (Resonant) Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA or RNRA)
  6. Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE)
  7. Particle-Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE)

 

Assessment method

The oral examination, held in January or August, takes the form of a discussion of a scientific paper dealing with the analysis of specimens using high-energy ion beams. The subject of the paper is free (e.g. Materials Sciences, Heritage Sciences, Metrology, Life Sciences, Geology, etc.) but it must have been published within the last ten years. Each student selects a paper and submits it to J. Colaux for validation. The same article may not be selected by two students.
For the January session, the article must be submitted by 16th and validated by 27th December at the latest.
For the August session, the article must be submitted by 12th and validated by 16th May at the latest.

The evaluation consists of discussing the choices made by the authors of the paper. Why did they use these IBA techniques? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these choices? Could or should they have used other techniques (covered in this course SPHYM229)? What particular points need to be considered in order to carry out a reliable and accurate analysis?
Each student is free to prepare or not a support for his evaluation. Course materials, available on WebCampus, are authorised for this assessment.

Sources, references and any support material

Nuclear Physics Part 1 (G. Terwagne - Librairie des Sciences, FUNDP) Nuclear Physics Part 2 (G. Terwagne - Librairie des Sciences, FUNDP) - Librairie des Sciences, FUNDP)

Language of instruction

Français