Resonance ionization mass spectrometry of uranium with intracavity laser ionization

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00268a058· OSTI ID:5234355

Downey, S W; Nogar, N S; Miller, C M

Resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) is a highly selective and sensitive tool for elemental and isotopic analysis. While most RIMS work to date has been carried out with high-power pulsed lasers, it has been suggested and verified, that continuous wave (CS) lasers may prove to be a viable alternative. One expects that increases in laser intensity should lead to increased ion yields for CW excitation. For CW, and in some cases flashlamp-pumped dye lasers, it is well-known that the circulating power inside the cavity is much greater than that coupled out of the cavity. The cavity of a flashlamp-pumped dye laser was extended to contain the source region of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Experiments were carried out with uranium, using the three-photon doubly resonant ionization at 591.5 nm. This process is particularly attractive for uranium because photons of a single nominal frequency are resonant with both bound-bound transitions. Thus, a single laser can be used to ionize uranium through sequential resonances. 22 references, 2 figures.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 5234355
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 56:4; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
ABSORPTION
ACTINIDES
DATA
DESIGN
DYE LASERS
ELECTRON TUBES
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLASH TUBES
GAS DISCHARGE TUBES
INFORMATION
IONIZATION
LASER CAVITIES
LASERS
LIQUID LASERS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MULTI-PHOTON PROCESSES
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTICAL PUMPING
PUMPING
RESONANCE ABSORPTION
RESONANCE IONIZATION MASS SPECTROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY
URANIUM