The role of modern spectroscopy and chromatography in actinide and lanthanide chemistry for nuclear forensics

Abstract

The field of nuclear forensics relies heavily on the accurate identification and characterization of actinides and lanthanides to trace the origins and history of nuclear materials. Modern spectroscopy and chromatography play a pivotal role in this domain, offering precise analytical techniques to detect and quantify these elements in various samples. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the contributions of spectroscopy and chromatography to actinide and lanthanide chemistry within the context of nuclear forensics. It begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of these methods, followed by detailed discussions on the specific spectroscopic techniques such as mass spectrometry (including ICP-MS and TIMS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS), and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The chromatographic methods covered include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The integration of these techniques for enhanced forensic analysis is explored through case studies and examples demonstrating their combined use. Furthermore, recent advances, innovations, and future trends in the field are discussed, highlighting the move towards automation and high-throughput analysis. The review concludes with an exploration of the analytical challenges and limitations, along with recommendations for future research directions. This comprehensive review underscores the critical role of advanced spectroscopy and chromatography in advancing the capabilities of nuclear forensics, ensuring robust and reliable forensic investigations.