Exploiting the optical isotope shift for ultrasensitive isotopic analysis with lasers

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5729420

Lucatorto, T B; Hutchinson, J M.R.; Whitaker, T J

The authors are currently engaged in a program to determine the potential of resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) for ultrasensitive isotopic measurements and for the determination of certain nuclear properties (e.g., spin and magnetic moment) of rare isotopes. The RIMS process has been under development for the past 5 yr or so as a technique for ultrasensitive elemental analysis. In RIMS, conventional mass spectrometry is combined with resonant laser ionization to provide sensitive, selective detection of elemental species. The resonance ionization process can achieve (by virtue of enormous resonance enhancement) nearly unit efficiency ionization of a selected elemental species. The mass spectrometer provides mass-specific (more precisely, mass-to-charge ratio specific) detection of the ion with near unit efficiency. Recently, RIMS was used to detect 1000 /sup 81/Kr atoms in a background of 10/sup 7/ /sup 80/Kr and /sup 82/Kr atoms and 10/sup 12/ atoms of other elements. It has also provided part-per-billion sensitivity in the measurement of gallium in solid silicon.

• OSTI ID: 5729420
• Report Number(s): CONF-860610-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 52
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
BARIUM ISOTOPES
BERYLLIUM ISOTOPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZATION
ISOTOPES
LASER SPECTROSCOPY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
RADIATIONS
RESONANCE
SENSITIVITY
SPECTRAL SHIFT
SPECTROSCOPY
VISIBLE RADIATION