The Atomic Fingerprint: Neutron Activation Analysis

"The Atomic Fingerprint: Neutron Activation Analysis" by Bernard Keisch is a nonfiction exploration of neutron activation analysis (NAA), a scientific method used to find out how much of different elements are in a substance. The publication, written in the early 1970s, explains how NAA works, using neutron beams to change stable elements into radioactive ones, which can then be identified by the gamma rays they release. The book gives examples of how NAA is used in different fields, like checking the purity of computer parts, measuring calcium in bones, authenticating old coins, and solving crimes using tiny bits of evidence. The material presents NAA as a detailed and useful tool for science and real-world problems, highlighting its importance in gaining accurate information in different areas of study.