Absolute measurement of the isotopes 16O and 18O in bombarded H218O sample using deuteron-induced gamma-ray emission technique

In this research work, we used the Deuteron Induced Gamma-ray Emission (DIGE) method based on 18O(d,pγ)19O (Eγ=1376 keV), and 16O(d,pγ)17O (Eγ= 871 keV) nuclear reactions to determine absolute amounts of the stable isotopes 16O  and 18O in the irradiated H218O sample. This sample had been bombarded as a target by the proton beam of a cyclotron accelerator in order to 18F radioisotope production. The employed thin Ta2O5 target was prepared by anodizing tantalum backing with the sample of irradiated H218O. The main advantage of PIGE is in measuring the simultaneity of the isotopes 16O and 18O only using one experience with a deuteron beam. The method's reliability was checked by determining isotope 18O for a sample with given 18O enrichment. These measurements were conducted using the 1150 keV deuteron beam of the 3 MV Van de Graaff electrostatic accelerator of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI).