Abstract
As background significantly affects measurement accuracy and a detection limit in determination of the traceamounts of uranium, it is necessary to determine the impurities in the Lexan detector film for single particle measurements bythermal ionization mass spectrometry coupled with fission track technique (FT-TIMS). We have prepared various micro sizes ofthe blank Lexan detector film using a micromanipulation technique for uranium measurements by TIMS. Few tens of fg of uraniumbackground with no remarkable dependency on the film sizes were observed in the blank Lexan films with the sizes from50 × 50 μm2 to 300 × 300 μm2. Based on the determination of the uranium background in the Lexan film, any background correctionis necessary in the isotopic analysis of a uranium single particle with micron sizes when the particle bearing Lexan film is dissectedwith less than 300 × 300 μm2 size. The isotopic analysis of a uranium particle in U030 standard material using TIMS was carriedout to verify the applicability of the Lexan film to the single particle analysis with high accuracy and precision.
Highlights
A swipe sample collected from a nuclear facility by an IAEA inspector contains huge numbers of particles together with extremely small amounts of uranium particles originated from nuclear activities.[1]
As background significantly affects measurement accuracy and a detection limit in determination of the trace amounts of uranium, it is necessary to determine the impurities in the Lexan detector film for single particle measurements by thermal ionization mass spectrometry coupled with fission track technique (FT-Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS))
In order to verify the applicability of the blank Lexan detector film to the uranium single particle analysis, the isotope ratios of a uranium oxide particle of a standard reference material (NIST U030) were determined using FT-TIMS
Summary
A swipe sample collected from a nuclear facility by an IAEA inspector contains huge numbers of particles together with extremely small amounts of uranium particles originated from nuclear activities.[1]. The single particle analysis requires mainly four procedures; collection, screening, manipulation, and isotopic ratio measurements. Zone-refined rhenium filaments contain less impurity than normal rhenium filaments, a degassing treatment with high temperature under vacuum conditions is necessary to reduce the background to a negligible level.[13] In the case of FT-TIMS, additional uranium backgrounds can be originated from the Lexan detector used for particle screening. We have prepared blank Lexan detector films with various sizes followed by measuring the uranium backgrounds from them using TIMS. An isotopic analysis of a single particle of a uranium standard reference material has been performed using FT-TIMS technique to verify the applicability of the Lexan detector. A micromanipulation system equipped with a digital microscope (VHX-Z100R, Kyence) was utilized to prepare the blank Lexan detector films with various sizes. A magnetic sector analyzed the ions spatially by masses, which were transduced into electrical current by a combination of faraday cups and a secondary electron multiplier (SEM)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
