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Title: Trace Actinide Signatures of a Bulk Neptunium Sample

Journal Article · · Analytical Chemistry
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  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
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In nuclear forensic analyses, measurements of actinide elements in a sample can assist with identifying interdicted or unknown materials. While these radiochemical signatures have been extensively investigated in uranium materials, less is known about bulk neptunium samples. This paper describes the measurement of trace actinide concentrations and isotopic profiles in a 237Np oxide sample. Uranium, plutonium, americium, and curium concentrations and isotopic profiles in the sample were determined and deemed potentially useful for distinguishing different sources of 237Np. Furthermore, several different potential radiochronometry systems were also investigated; discordant results indicate that the Np sample was never completely purified of other actinide elements, or that subsequent contamination of the sample occurred. Few prior studies of neptunium materials have been reported, and these data suggest that trace actinide constituents could provide unique signatures to identify material out of regulatory control.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1995211
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-23-21796; TRN: US2405044
Journal Information:
Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 95, Issue 23; ISSN 0003-2700
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Integral Experiments
Actinides
Isotopes
Materials
Organic polymers
Uranium