Detection and identification of Pu particles and HEU particles by nuclear detectors CR-39

Abstract

Two parameter approach –a new technique has been devised and tested to identify and distinguish Pu–bearing particles from U-bearing particles. This technique can be used to select rare and microscopic Pu-bearing particles from environmental samples, such as in soil, water, air (aerosol) and swipe samples from the wall of buildings and surfaces of machines in nuclear factories. Some amount of Pu and U standard reference materials were respectively added to cellulose nitrate (CN) solution and dropped some quantity of the solution on mica plates and dried to from CN sheets. CR-39 track detectors were used to record tracks of α particles emitted from the Pu or U particles in CN sheets. After etching of CR-39 plates, α track stars were developed and can be seen under optical microscope. Tracks shapes of α particles in the stars were investigated. We found that at certain interval of etching time, the tip part of α tracks of Pu was very sharp, but the tip part of α tracks of U was blunted with spherical tips. The ratio Rt/Ro of the diameter (Rt) of tip point to the diameter (Ro) of the round track in center area of star is a superior parameter to identify Pu from U particles. The Rt/Ro measurements should be carried at a certain distance from the center point. The two parameter approach has been using in nuclear safeguards and nuclear forensics to analyze isotopic compositions and age of Pu samples.