activation analysis

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of trace amounts of various elements by measuring the characteristic radioactive decay induced by neutron bombardment.

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Etymology

Origin of activation analysis

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Neutron activation analysis is no cure-all for crime, nor do I think it will replace regular chemical analysis procedures.

From Time Magazine Archive

They are the product of neutron activation analysis, which requires that specimens under study be irradiated with neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

From Time Magazine Archive

The team adopted the well-known instrumental neutron activation analysis method, where a trace element in a chosen sample is irradiated and activated by the capture of thermal neutrons.

From Science Daily

Another possible application, he says, is for a kind of imaging, using neutral activation analysis.

From Science Daily