Resonance ionization mass spectrometry of ion beam sputtered neutrals for element- and isotope-selective analysis of plutonium in micro-particles |
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Authors: | N Erdmann J-V Kratz N Trautmann and G Passler |
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Institution: | (1) European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany;(2) Institute of Nuclear Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, 55128 Mainz, Germany;(3) Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany |
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Abstract: | Micro-particles containing actinides are of interest for risk assessments of contaminated areas, nuclear forensic analyses,
and IAEA as well as Euratom safeguards programs. For their analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has been established
as the state-of-the-art standard technique. In the case of actinide mixtures within the particles, however, SIMS suffers from
isobaric interferences (e.g., 238U/238Pu, 241Am/241Pu). This can be eliminated by applying resonance ionization mass spectrometry which is based on stepwise resonant excitation
and ionization of atoms with laser light, followed by mass spectrometric detection of the produced ions, combining high elemental
selectivity with the analysis of isotopic compositions. This paper describes the instrumental modifications for coupling a
commercial time-of-flight (TOF)-SIMS apparatus with three-step resonant post-ionization of the sputtered neutrals using a
high-repetition-rate (kHz) Nd:YAG laser pumped tunable titanium:sapphire laser system. Spatially resolved ion images obtained
from actinide-containing particles in TOF-SIMS mode demonstrate the capability for isotopic and spatial resolution. Results
from three-step resonant post-ionization of bulk Gd and Pu samples successfully demonstrate the high elemental selectivity
of this process. |
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