Analysis of nuclear materials by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence and spectral effects of alpha decay

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0259-4· OSTI ID:962395

Worley, Christopher G ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectra collected from alpha emitters are complicated by artifacts inherent to the alpha decay process, particularly when using portable instruments. For example, {sup 239}Pu EDXRF spectra exhibit a prominent uranium L X-ray emission peak series due to sample alpha decay rather than source-induced X-ray fluorescence. A portable EDXRF instrument was used to collect spectra from plutonium, americium, and a Pu-contaminated steel sample. The plutonium sample was also analyzed by wavelength dispersive XRF to demonstrate spectral differences observed when using these very different instruments.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 962395
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-09-01827; LA-UR-09-1827; TRN: US200919%%151
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 282; Journal Issue: 2; Conference: Eighth Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry Conference ; April 6, 2009 ; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALPHA DECAY
AMERICIUM
CHEMISTRY
FLUORESCENCE
PLUTONIUM
SPECTRA
STEELS
URANIUM
WAVELENGTHS