skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Distinguishing Micron-Sized UO2, UO3, etc. Particles from Other Common Mineral Particles by Single-Shot Fluorescence Spectra

Journal Article · · Aerosol Science and Technology
OSTI ID:807673

An optical system for detecting the single-shot fluorescence spectrum from a single flowing particle was built. With this system, the single-shot fluorescence spectrum was observed from an individual UO3 particle around 50 um in diameter. The fluorescence spectra from UO2, UO3, U3O8 were centered around 520 nm when excited by a 266 nm or 355 nm laser. The fluorescence spectra from UOx showed different peak wavelengths and different spectral profiles from those of SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, CdO, CrO3, Cr2O3, FeO, Fe2O3, Li2O, PbO, PbO2, and Pb3O4, which could be the main interfering mineral-oxide particles. These differences provide the possibility of a quick and simple method for distinguishing UO2, UO3, U3O8, and other uranium oxide particles from many common mineral-oxide particles. By measuring single-shot, single-particle fluorescence spectra, it also may be possible to monitor the ambient aerosols that are contaminated with uranium oxide in the respiratory size aerosols (1-10 um in diameter).

Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-96SR18500
OSTI ID:
807673
Report Number(s):
WSRC-MS-2002-00948; ASTYDQ; TRN: US0301933
Journal Information:
Aerosol Science and Technology, Other Information: PBD: 5 Feb 2003; ISSN 0278-6826
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English