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Studies on single particles by glow discharge mass spectrometer

Conference ·
OSTI ID:273566
;  [1]
  1. Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe (Germany)
In the last few years and above all after the nuclear accident of Chernobyl, investigations dealing with chemical and physical characterizations of single particles have become of more and more interest for radio-environmental monitoring studies. From the chemical characterization of single particles, information on the trace elements contained are required, and when elements of nuclear concern are present it should be possible also to determine their isotopic composition. In this poster the use of a d.c. GDMS has been investigated for the characterization of single particles and the first results are described. Above all non-conducting particles have been considered, as they are the most frequently encountered in radio-environmental studies. Methods for their loading on a pin are described. The pin acts as a support as well as a secondary cathode making possible the measurement by a d.c. GDMS. The results of measurements performed on particles of different dimensions are reported. The discharge parameters have also been investigated in terms of their influence on the signal intensity and on the consumption of material during sputtering.
OSTI ID:
273566
Report Number(s):
CONF-960113--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English