Characterization and Optimization of a Spectral Window for Direct Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride Enrichment Assay Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Abstract
Through a systematic scanning of 235U and 238U emission lines between 280 nm and 745 nm, the optimal emission line for direct gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF6) enrichment assay using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was found. Screening for spectral features that are potentially useful for U isotopic analysis was gauged from the magnitude of the 235U–238U isotopic shift and the signal-to-background ratio of the emission line through a parameter termed ΔSBR 235U–238U. The ΔSBR spectrum shows peaks at wavelength positions where there are strong lines with significant 235U–238U shifts. The screening identified 13 spectral-window candidates, which were down selected based on their overall accuracy in predicting the 235U enrichment of three UF6 samples of natural (0.720 atom% 235U) and low-enriched (4.675 atom% and 9.157 atom% 235U) grades. The U(I) 646.498 nm emission line, with a determined 235U–238U isotopic shift of -17.7 pm, was found to be the optimal spectral window for direct UF6 enrichment assay. The root mean square error for enrichment assays on the three natural and low-enriched UF6 samples, with each sample measured in six replicates, was 0.31% in absolute 235U content. Each measurement comprised LIBS signals accumulated from 3000 laser shots. In conclusion, the analytical bias and precisionmore »
- Authors:
-
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Applied Spectra, West Sacramento, CA (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 2204568
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725; AC02-05CH 11231
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Applied Spectroscopy
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 77; Journal Issue: 8; Journal ID: ISSN 0003-7028
- Publisher:
- Society for Applied Spectroscopy
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; Uranium hexafluoride; enrichment assay; isotopic analysis; isotopic shift; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; nuclear safeguards
Citation Formats
Chan, George C. Y., Martin, Leigh R., and Russo, Richard E. Characterization and Optimization of a Spectral Window for Direct Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride Enrichment Assay Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. United States: N. p., 2022.
Web. doi:10.1177/00037028221112953.
Chan, George C. Y., Martin, Leigh R., & Russo, Richard E. Characterization and Optimization of a Spectral Window for Direct Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride Enrichment Assay Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. United States. https://doi.org/10.1177/00037028221112953
Chan, George C. Y., Martin, Leigh R., and Russo, Richard E. Fri .
"Characterization and Optimization of a Spectral Window for Direct Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride Enrichment Assay Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy". United States. https://doi.org/10.1177/00037028221112953. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2204568.
@article{osti_2204568,
title = {Characterization and Optimization of a Spectral Window for Direct Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride Enrichment Assay Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy},
author = {Chan, George C. Y. and Martin, Leigh R. and Russo, Richard E.},
abstractNote = {Through a systematic scanning of 235U and 238U emission lines between 280 nm and 745 nm, the optimal emission line for direct gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF6) enrichment assay using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was found. Screening for spectral features that are potentially useful for U isotopic analysis was gauged from the magnitude of the 235U–238U isotopic shift and the signal-to-background ratio of the emission line through a parameter termed ΔSBR 235U–238U. The ΔSBR spectrum shows peaks at wavelength positions where there are strong lines with significant 235U–238U shifts. The screening identified 13 spectral-window candidates, which were down selected based on their overall accuracy in predicting the 235U enrichment of three UF6 samples of natural (0.720 atom% 235U) and low-enriched (4.675 atom% and 9.157 atom% 235U) grades. The U(I) 646.498 nm emission line, with a determined 235U–238U isotopic shift of -17.7 pm, was found to be the optimal spectral window for direct UF6 enrichment assay. The root mean square error for enrichment assays on the three natural and low-enriched UF6 samples, with each sample measured in six replicates, was 0.31% in absolute 235U content. Each measurement comprised LIBS signals accumulated from 3000 laser shots. In conclusion, the analytical bias and precision were better than 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively, in absolute [235U/(235U + 238U)] ratios. Specific for the two low-enriched UF6 samples, the relative standard deviations from six replicated measurements were around 2%.},
doi = {10.1177/00037028221112953},
journal = {Applied Spectroscopy},
number = 8,
volume = 77,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2022},
month = {Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2022}
}
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