Elemental analysis of light constituents in thin plastic films

Experiments with 1-3 MeV 4He beams and 2.2-3.2 MeV proton beams have been performed in order to develop a precise and highly sensitive method for the detection and analysis of light elements in threat or drug materials using simultaneously the RBS and ERDA techniques. Commercially available plastic films have been used as samples. The 1 MeV 4He beam has been found to be inadequate owing to the rapid destruction of the targets. Best results have been obtained using proton beams with energies higher than 3 MeV. For 3.2 MeV proton beams, ERDA has been used for the analysis of the hydrogen constituent.