Critical evaluation of the use of a dc glow discharge mass spectrometer for the characterization of nuclear samples

Conference · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996

OSTI ID:273571

Betti, M ^[1]

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1. Institute for Transuranium Elements, Karlsruhe (Germany)

In the field of nuclear research and technology, the chemical characterization of different type of fuels, cladding materials, vitrified wastes and so on, from the point of view of trace, major and minor elements as well as of the isotopic composition is of great importance. In these laboratories, many techniques based on nuclear and nonnuclear methods are available for this purpose. From more than two years, a d.c. glow discharge mass spectrometer (GDMS) installed in a glove-box is also operative for the analysis of traces and for the determination of the isotopic composition of samples of nuclear concern. In this presentation, on the basis of the experience acquired after the examination of more than 400 of samples of nuclear concern, a description of the problems encountered and how they have been overcome is given. In particular, the use of the most appropriate relative sensitivity factors to obtain the best accuracy as possible is discussed. The problem of the analysis of nonconducting nuclear samples is described. Figures of merits for the methods developed for different kinds of samples are given and comparisons of the GDMS results with those obtained from other techniques are made.

• OSTI ID: 273571
• Report Number(s): CONF-960113--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
40 CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CLADDING
DESIGN
ISOTOPE RATIO
NUCLEAR FUELS
PERFORMANCE
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
SPECTROMETERS