Laser Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry Measurements of Cesium in Nuclear Burn-up and Sediment Samples

Journal Article · Thu Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2004 · Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 60(2-4):567-570

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2003.11.082· OSTI ID:948785

Pibida, L; Mcmahon, C A; Bushaw, Bruce A

Isotopic ratio measurements of Cs-135 to Cs-137 Were performed using both resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) to determine the chronological age of nuclear fuel burn-up samples. Initial measurements on a lake sediment sample are being performed at NIST for determination of cesium content in the sample. Atomization behavior of the graphite furnace source, the overall efficiency and selectivity were measured for different sample preparations. Single-resonance excitation 6s S-2(1/2) (F = 4) --> 6p P-2(3/2) (F' = 5) with an extended cavity diode laser followed by photoionization with the 488 nm line of an argon ion laser yielded optical selectivity for Cs-135 and Cs-137 of more than two orders of magnitude against stable Cs-133 and overall selectivity of 10(8). An overall efficiency of 5 x 10(-7) was measured for standard Cs-133 solutions and for the nuclear fuel burn-up samples.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 948785
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-41346; KC0302020
• Journal Information: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 60(2-4):567-570, Journal Name: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 60(2-4):567-570
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English