High-Resolution Optical Emission Spectroscopy of Uranium Hexafluoride in the Argon Afterglow Discharge

Abstract

Uranium atom and ion emission spectra resulting from the introduction of gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into an atmospheric-pressure argon afterglow discharge source have been acquired with the use of a high-resolution spectrometer. The isotopic splitting (235U/238U) of the uranium ion line at 424.437 nm has been utilized to analyze three different UF6 samples containing 0.245%, 3.80%, and 51.20% 235U, respectively. A limit of detection for UF6 in argon of ∼15 ppm for the U(II) 424.167-nm line has been achieved.