Application of diode lasers to actinide atom monitoring
- Department of Energy, Ames, IA (United States)
The authors are interested in developing real-time analytical methods based on optical spectroscopy to monitor actinides as they exist in the nuclear fuel cycle. These methods can form a part of nuclear safeguards system methods can form a part of nuclear safeguards system designed to prevent the diversion of fissile nuclear materials, such as {sup 239}Pu and {sup 235}U, from peaceful to hostile uses. To achieve wide use, these methods must be sensitive, have isotopic selectivity, be rapid, and be easily implemented in industrial settings. Uranium has a rich spectrum with transitions from low-lying levels occurring in the red and near-infrared regions of the spectrum. These wavelengths can be reached with GaAlAs diode lasers. Unlike Pb-salt diode lasers that emit in the infrared and require cryogenic cooling, GaAlAs diode lasers operate near room temperature. The authors have used a 4-mW GaAlAs diode laser, tunable from 773 nm to 797 nm, to detect neutral uranium atoms by exciting the 620-13,463 cm{sup {minus}1} transition at 778.413 nm. The uranium atoms were generated by sputtering in a commercial hollow cathode lamp constructed of depleted uranium. The absorption of the diode laser light by the uranium atoms was detected by optogalvanic spectroscopy. 8 refs., 1 fig.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-82
- OSTI ID:
- 39274
- Journal Information:
- Applied Spectroscopy, Vol. 46, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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