Development of separation procedures for determination of uranium and thorium in the 82Se source of the SuperNEMO experiment: first steps

Abstract

Two methods have been tested for separation of uranium and thorium from selenium using UTEVA and anion exchange resins. The average yield for separation of uranium, thorium and selenium was determined to be for the UTEVA method 91 ± 9%, 79 ± 8% and 96 ± 8%, respectively, and 96 ± 10%, 88 ± 9% and 94 ± 8%, respectively, in the case of the anion exchange resin. The methods will be used in consequent development of analytical procedures for determination of 238U and 232Th content with mass spectrometric techniques in 82Se source materials of the SuperNEMO experiment.