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Title: Static, mixed-array total evaporation for improved quantitation of plutonium minor isotopes in small samples

Abstract

Actinide isotope measurements are a critical signature capability in the modern nuclear forensics “toolbox”, especially when interrogating anthropogenic constituents in real-world scenarios. Unfortunately, established methodologies, such as traditional total evaporation via thermal ionization mass spectrometry, struggle to confidently measure low abundance isotope ratios (<10-6) within already limited quantities of sample. Herein, we investigate the application of static, mixed array total evaporation techniques as a straightforward means of improving plutonium minor isotope measurements, which have been resistant to enhancement in recent years because of elevated radiologic concerns. Furthermore, results are presented for small sample (~20 ng) applications involving a well-known plutonium isotope reference material, CRM-126a, and compared with traditional total evaporation methods.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
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  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1255125
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-15-28287
Journal ID: ISSN 1044-0305
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC52-06NA25396
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 27; Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 1044-0305
Publisher:
American Society for Mass Spectrometry
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; 07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES

Citation Formats

Stanley, F. E., Byerly, Benjamin L., Thomas, Mariam R., and Spencer, Khalil J. Static, mixed-array total evaporation for improved quantitation of plutonium minor isotopes in small samples. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1007/s13361-016-1380-6.
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Stanley, F. E., Byerly, Benjamin L., Thomas, Mariam R., & Spencer, Khalil J. Static, mixed-array total evaporation for improved quantitation of plutonium minor isotopes in small samples. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-016-1380-6
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Stanley, F. E., Byerly, Benjamin L., Thomas, Mariam R., and Spencer, Khalil J. Thu . "Static, mixed-array total evaporation for improved quantitation of plutonium minor isotopes in small samples". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-016-1380-6. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1255125.
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@article{osti_1255125,
title = {Static, mixed-array total evaporation for improved quantitation of plutonium minor isotopes in small samples},
author = {Stanley, F. E. and Byerly, Benjamin L. and Thomas, Mariam R. and Spencer, Khalil J.},
abstractNote = {Actinide isotope measurements are a critical signature capability in the modern nuclear forensics “toolbox”, especially when interrogating anthropogenic constituents in real-world scenarios. Unfortunately, established methodologies, such as traditional total evaporation via thermal ionization mass spectrometry, struggle to confidently measure low abundance isotope ratios (<10-6) within already limited quantities of sample. Herein, we investigate the application of static, mixed array total evaporation techniques as a straightforward means of improving plutonium minor isotope measurements, which have been resistant to enhancement in recent years because of elevated radiologic concerns. Furthermore, results are presented for small sample (~20 ng) applications involving a well-known plutonium isotope reference material, CRM-126a, and compared with traditional total evaporation methods.},
doi = {10.1007/s13361-016-1380-6},
journal = {Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry},
number = 6,
volume = 27,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Thu Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-016-1380-6
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    Investigation of the crucial factors affecting accurate measurement of strontium isotope ratios by total evaporation thermal ionization mass spectrometry
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    • Wang, Song; Wang, Jun; Lu, Hai
    • Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Vol. 33, Issue 9
    • DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8410
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