Nuclear forensic analysis with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in CMX-6

Abstract

The 6th Collaborative Materials Exercise, CMX-6, was organized by the Nuclear Forensic International Technical Working Group in 2018 and 2019. Two exercise samples, which had classical and nuclear forensic components, were distributed to nuclear forensic (NF) laboratories throughout the world. The goal of the exercise was to enable the NF laboratories to practice their capabilities under a realistic scenario, and share their experience in an open forum. Here we present the use of laser ablation triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the nuclear forensic examination of uranium and plutonium contaminated materials in CMX-6. Similarity or dissimilarity of exercise samples was established though trace element analysis and uranium and plutonium isotope ratio measurements.