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Multidetector calibration for mass spectrometers

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10175188· OSTI ID:10175188
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
  2. IAEA, Seibersdorf (Austria). Safeguards Analytical Lab.
The International Atomic Energy Agency`s Safeguards Analytical Laboratory has performed calibration experiments to measure the different efficiencies among multi-Faraday detectors for a Finnigan-MAT 261 mass spectrometer. Two types of calibration experiments were performed: (1) peak-shift experiments and (2) peak-jump experiments. For peak-shift experiments, the ion intensities were measured for all isotopes of an element in different Faraday detectors. Repeated measurements were made by shifting the isotopes to various Faraday detectors. Two different peak-shifting schemes were used to measure plutonium (UK Pu5/92138) samples. For peak-jump experiments, ion intensities were measured in a reference Faraday detector for a single isotope and compared with those measured in the other Faraday detectors. Repeated measurements were made by switching back-and-forth between the reference Faraday detector and a selected Faraday detector. This switching procedure is repeated for all Faraday detectors. Peak-jump experiments were performed with replicate measurements of {sup 239}Pu, {sup 187}Re, and {sup 238}U. Detector efficiency factors were estimated for both peak-jump and peak-shift experiments using a flexible calibration model to statistically analyze both types of multidetector calibration experiments. Calculated detector efficiency factors were shown to depend on both the material analyzed and the experimental conditions. A single detector efficiency factor is not recommended for each detector that would be used to correct routine sample analyses. An alternative three-run peak-shift sample analysis should be considered. A statistical analysis of the data from this peak-shift experiment can adjust the isotopic ratio estimates for detector differences due to each sample analysis.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
10175188
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM--12776; ISPO--367; ON: DE94017070
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English