The use of SIMS and SEM for the characterization of individual particles with a matrix originating from a nuclear weapon.

The application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for characterization of mixed plutonium and uranium particles from nuclear weapons material is presented. The particles originated from the so-called Thule accident in Greenland in 1968. Morphological properties have been studied by SEM and two groups were identified: a "popcorn" structure and a spongy structure. The same technique, coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometer, showed a heterogeneous composition of Pu and U in the surface layers of the particles. The SIMS depth profiles revealed a varying isotopic composition indicating a heterogeneous mixture of Pu and U in the original nuclear weapons material itself. The depth distributions agree with synchrotron-radiation-based mu-XRF (X-ray fluorescence microprobe) measurements on the particle (Eriksson, M., Wegryzynek, D., Simon, R., & Chinea-Cano, E., in prep.) when a SIMS relative sensitivity factor for Pu to U of 6 is assumed. Different SIMS identified isotopic ratio groups are presented, and the influence of interferences in the Pu and U mass range are estimated. The study found that the materials are a mixture of highly enriched 235U (235U:238U ratio from 0.96 to 1.4) and so-called weapons grade Pu (240Pu:239Pu ratio from 0.028 to 0.059) and confirms earlier work reported in the literature.     

Theoretical analysis of optical pulse position modulation communication systems using semiconductor lasers

In this paper the performance of a pulse position modulation (PPM) optical system is analysed both for direct and coherent detection schemes taking into account time jitter of the semiconductor laser. This phenomenon can introduce a large sensitivity penalty if the system parameters are not accurately selected. In particular, the optimum value of the PPM order is strongly influenced by the laser time jitter, and the modulation index cannot be chosen below a threshold value that, with the assumed laser parameters, is about 0.7.     

Core level electron energy loss study of the PD-SI(111)2 × 1 Interface Formation

Summary The structural and surface sensitivity of electron energy loss spectroscopy has been exploited to investigate the Pd-Si(111) 2×1 interface. We found the twoM _iv,v shallow edges of Pd suitable for an EELS study on the whole coverage range. EXAFSlike oscillations were detectable above theM _iv,v edge for about 150 eV. These features together with the intensity ratio (M _v/M _iv) between theM _v andM _iv components showed a reproducible dependencevs. the thickness of the Pd film. From the analysis of the near edge part and the EXAFSlike oscillations a general indication of the formation of a compound very close to Pd₂Si in the coverage range (5÷20) ? and the presence of a peculiar Pd−Si compound at coverages lower than 5 ? was obtained. The authors have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Periodic Traveling Waves in Diatomic Granular Chains

We study bifurcations of periodic traveling waves in diatomic granular chains from the anti-continuum limit, when the mass ratio between the light and heavy beads is zero. We show that every limiting periodic wave is uniquely continued with respect to the mass ratio parameter, and the periodic waves with a wavelength larger than a certain critical value are spectrally stable. Numerical computations are developed to study how this solution family is continued to the limit of equal mass ratio between the beads, where periodic traveling waves of homogeneous granular chains exist.     

Analytical procedure for mapping the distribution of B and Tc markers in cryo-sections of animal tissue samples by secondary ion mass spectrometry

The development of a complete, standard analytical procedure for a quantitative use of secondary ion mass spectrometry to map the distribution in animal tissues of exogenous isotopes presents difficulties inherently related to sample preparation and preservation, as well as to the specific application being considered. We have tested in two very different cases a procedure based on the cryo-preparation of samples and calibration standards. The applications under investigation were the mapping of ¹⁰B in mouse brain tissue, with relevance to the boron neutron capture therapy, and of the perfusion tracer ⁹⁹Tc in mouse heart tissue, with relevance to the study of microcirculation and cardiovascular pathologies. Scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled mass spectrometry analysis were used as reference techniques for secondary ion mass spectrometry images and analyte measurements, respectively. Cryo-preparation of tissue sections for ion microscopy proved to be simple and efficient (in terms of structural and chemical integrity) for both brain and heart samples derived from fresh organs. This technique, however, turned out to be reliable only on the brain tissue when applied to the preparation of standards, which required chemical fixation of portions of organs. Brain and heart tissues showed a totally different response to chemical fixation, from both a structural and an analytical point of view. On the one hand, we were able to estimate a relative sensitivity factor for ¹⁰B in the cryo-sectioned brain matrix; on the other hand, even without the possibility of an absolute quantification of the ⁹⁹Tc signal and notwithstanding the presence of an isobaric interference, secondary ion mass spectrometry mapping however proved to be capable to resolve the specific response of the cardiac tissue to the perfusion mechanism.     

X-ray spectroscopic diagnostics of ultrashort laser-cluster interaction at the stage of the nonadiabatic scattering of clusters

X-ray spectroscopic diagnostics of laser-cluster interaction at the stage of nonadiabatic scattering of clusters and formation of a spatially uniform plasma channel has been performed. The experimental investigations have been carried out on a Ti:Sa laser setup with a pulse duration of about 65 fs and an energy up to 600 mJ. It has been shown that, within 10 ps from the beginning of a laser femtosecond pulse, the laser-cluster interaction forms a uniform plasma channel with a length of 0.4 to 1 mm with the parameters N _e ～ 10¹⁹?10²⁰ cm^?3 and T _e ～ 100 eV.     

Characterization of uranium particles produced by hydrolysis of UF6 using SEM and SIMS.

Environmental sampling (ES) is a powerful technique used by safeguards inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Safeguards Office for the detection of undeclared nuclear activities. Since its implementation in the 1990s, ES has proven to be very sensitive and effective. Considering the consequences, the measurements should be carried out under a quality management programme. At the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, a new production method is under development for the preparation of reference uranium particles from well-certified UF6, allowing uranium particles with certified isotopic abundances to be prepared that are representative of those found in uranium enrichment facilities. Using an aerosol deposition chamber designed and built for the purpose, particles are formed by the hydrolysis of UF6 and their morphology and (isotopic) composition measured using SEM-EDX and SIMS. The SEM measurements show that by varying the relative humidity of the air in the reaction chamber, the morphology of the particles can be changed. By making a distribution map of the chemical composition of the particles, the relationship between fluorine and uranium as main constituents of the particle could be established. The presence of fluorine is a valuable indicator for the occurrence of nondeclared enrichment activities.