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

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 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]

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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), Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States) Vol. 66:23; ISSN 0003-2700; ISSN ANCHAM
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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