A new detector for hydrogen analysis with a nuclear microprobe

A new detector for hydrogen analysis of thin samples has been designed for utilization at a nuclear microprobe. An annular surface barrier detector is divided into two halves that are read out individually, and the two protons resulting from p-p scattering are detected in each half. Coincidence technique is applied in order to suppress the background. The minimum detection limit is 20 pg/cm(2) for an integrated beam charge of 1 mu C. The depth profiling properties are discussed, and three-dimensional images with a resolution of 1 mu m or less are considered to be attainable. The detector can be employed in conjunction with other detectors to simultaneously analyze light elements with optimal nuclear reactions and large solid angles.