Measurement of uranium total alpha-particle activity by selective extraction and photon/electron-rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS{reg_sign}) spectroscopy
- Savannah River Technology Center, Aiken, SC (United States)
The author reports a technique for determination of uranium total alpha-particle activity by selective extraction and counting by Photon/Electron-Rejecting Alpha Liquid Scintillation (PERALS{reg_sign}) spectroscopy. The technique uses a commercially available extractive scintillant which is selective for uranium. Near 100% recovery of uranium is obtained with better than 99% chemical and electronic discrimination against Pu, Am, and Cm alpha-particle activity. Interference from uranium beta-particle decay daughter products is not a significant factor. With this technique we have demonstrated a sensitivity of better than 100 dpm/mL uranium content in samples with Pu/U activity ratios of up to 10{sup 5}. We have observed approximately 130-keV FWHM energy resolution, which is adequate for {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U isotopics determination in natural, enriched, and depleted uranium samples. Development work for this procedure was performed with 0.2% depleted U, and we include electron rejecting pulse-shape discrimination alpha-particle pulse-height analysis (PHA) spectra which illustrate resolution of the {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U alpha-particle peaks.
- OSTI ID:
- 560614
- Journal Information:
- Radioactivity and Radiochemistry, Journal Name: Radioactivity and Radiochemistry Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 8; ISSN RARAE6; ISSN 1045-845X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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