Monitoring the transport of ions through coatings using beta decaying nuclides for labelling

A method suitable for studying the migration of labelled ions in solid samples is proposed. The basic principle is not new: the evaluation is based on the energy distribution of beta particles, influenced by absorption and, consequently, by the depth profile of the labelled ion concentration. The mathematical approach is, however, new: such parameters are defined which are very sensitive to changes in the depth profile. The parameters introduced do not depend on the amount of labelled ions absorbed on the surface. Transport processes can be treated on the basis of changes on these parameters.