Isotopic analysis of uranium using glow discharge optogalvanic spectroscopy and diode lasers

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00095a007· OSTI ID:6717404

Barshick, C M; Shaw, R W; Young, J P; Ramsey, J M ^[1]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

A hollow cathode glow discharge has been coupled with tunable lasers for isotopically selective excitation of gaseous uranium atoms produced by cathodic sputtering. A CW argon ion laser-pumped titanium:sapphire ring laser and a semiconductor diode laser were employed. Optogalvanic detection of the discharge atom population allowed identification of [sup 235]U at depleted, natural, and enriched abundances in uranium metal and uranium oxide samples based on the spectral signatures of two transitions. Isotope ratio measurements were precise from run to run (internal precision) to better than +1% relative standard deviation at 1[sigma]; external precision (sample to sample) was on the order of [+-]3% relative standard deviation at 1[sigma]. As in mass spectrometry, the most accurate analysis will be obtained when a bias correction is employed to correct for day to day variations in the laser and discharge conditions. 24 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6717404
• Journal Information: Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States), Vol. 66:23; ISSN 0003-2700
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
URANIUM
ISOTOPE RATIO
URANIUM ISOTOPES
SPECTROSCOPY
URANIUM OXIDES
EXCITATION
GLOW DISCHARGES
ISOTOPES
LASERS
SPUTTERING
URANIUM 235
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDE ISO
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTINIDES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
METALS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
400702* - Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry- Properties of Radioactive Materials
400102 - Chemical & Spectral Procedures