A gamma-spectrometric method for the determination of plutonium isotope ratios

A gamma-spectrometric method using an intrinsic high resolution germanium detector has been developed for the determination of isotope ratios of plutonium from samples in solution form. The method is based on the assay of low energy gamma-rays of²³⁸Pu,²³⁹Pu,²⁴⁰Pu and²⁴¹Pu and does not require the use of branching intensities or the knowledge of detection efficiencies for different gamma rays. Since low energy gamma-rays are used, the effect of²⁴¹Am has also been studied. It is found that results are not affected up to 0.5 wt% of²⁴¹Am in plutonium samples. An accuracy of 3% is achievable in the determination of²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu and²⁴¹Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios as demonstrated by carrying out measurements on isotopic standards of plutonium.