Laser mass-spectrometric analysis of vitrified radioactive wastes under conditions of long-term storage

Abstract

Borosilicate glass is one of the most promising matrix materials because it is highly stable and its composition can be varied. In recent years vitrification has been considered a possible solution to the problem of immobilization of medium-level radioactive wastes. In the present work, the method of laser mass spectrometry was used for the first time to determine the changes in the composition of vitrified radioactive wastes under conditions of long-term storage in the open. This method makes it possible to analyze comprehensively the content of all elements by means of layerwise laser evaporation of selected sections of the material.