Standoff Detection of Uranium and its Isotopes by Femtosecond Filament Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry

Journal Article · Wed Mar 08 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Scientific Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/srep43852· OSTI ID:1367670

Hartig, Kyle C. ^[1]; Ghebregziabher, Isaac ^[1]; Jovanovic, Igor ^[2]

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1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Dept of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
2. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Dept of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering; Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences

The ability to perform not only elementally but also isotopically sensitive detection and analysis at standoff distances is important for remote sensing applications in diverse ares, such as nuclear nonproliferation, environmental monitoring, geophysics, and planetary science. We demonstrate isotopically sensitive real-time standoff detection of uranium by the use of femtosecond filament-induced laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry. A uranium oxide molecular emission isotope shift of 0.05 ± 0.007 nm is reported at 593.6 nm. We implement both spectroscopic and acoustic diagnostics to characterize the properties of uranium plasma generated at different filament- uranium interaction points. The resulting uranium oxide emission exhibits a nearly constant signal-to-background ratio over the length of the filament, unlike the uranium atomic and ionic emission, for which the signal-to-background ratio varies significantly along the filament propagation. This is explained by the different rates of increase of plasma density and uranium oxide density along the filament length resulting from spectral and temporal evolution of the filament along its propagation. Lastly, the results provide a basis for the optimal use of filaments for standoff detection and analysis of uranium isotopes and indicate the potential of the technique for a wider range of remote sensing applications that require isotopic sensitivity.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0002534; 2012.05 DN-130-NF0001
• OSTI ID: 1367670
• Journal Information: Scientific Reports, Vol. 7; ISSN 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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