Radionuclide detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: A comparison of atomic and radiation detection method

Conference · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:10118220

Smith, M R; Wyse, E J; Koppenaal, D W

Radionuclide detection by mass spectrometric techniques offers inherent advantages over conventional radiation detection methods. Since radionuclides decay at variable rates (half-lives) and via various nuclear transformations (i.e. emission of alpha, beta, and/or gamma radiation) their determination via radiation detection depends not only on decay systematics but also on detector technology. Radionuclide detection by direct atom measurement, however, is dependent only on technique sensitivity and is indifferent to decay mode. Evaluation of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) indicates this method to be superior conventional radiation detection techniques for many radionuclides. This work discusses factors which influence detection by both methods. Illustrative applications of ICP/MS to the ultra-trace determination of several radionuclides, including {sup 129}I, are presented. 20 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10118220
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-19335; CONF-910422-6; ON: DE92007050
• Resource Relation: Conference: International topical conference on methods and applications of radioanalytical chemistry II (MARC-2),Kona, HI (United States),21-27 Apr 1991; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
RADIOISOTOPES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
IONIZATION POTENTIAL
HALF-LIFE
PLASMA
400102
400101
CHEMICAL AND SPECTRAL PROCEDURES
ACTIVATION, NUCLEAR REACTION, RADIOMETRIC, AND RADIOCHEMICAL PROCEDURES