Faraday detector uranium isotope ratio measurement: Insights from solution- and laser ablation-based sampling methodologies on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS

Zirakparvar, Alex; Manard, Benjamin; Hexel, Cole; Dunlap, Daniel; Metzger, Shalina; Bostick, Debra; Bradley, Veronica; Ticknor, Brian

doi:10.1016/j.ijms.2023.117114

Title: Faraday detector uranium isotope ratio measurement: Insights from solution- and laser ablation-based sampling methodologies on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS

Journal Article · 05 August 2023 · International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2023.117114 · OSTI ID:1995684

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

In this study we utilize an all-faraday cup detector configuration on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS to perform uranium isotope ratio determinations from certified reference materials and a nuclear fuel precursor material via solution and laser ablation based sampling methodologies. The goal in performing these measurements is primarily to demonstrate that the all-faraday cup method can produce highly precise and accurate isotope ratios even at relatively low signal intensity levels while also developing a preliminary understanding of how the complex interplay between different amplifier resistor levels (e.g. 10¹¹ vs 10¹³ Ω) and integration times impacts the precision and accuracy of different types of measurements. Our results show that the faraday cups with 1013 Ω resistors in their amplifier feedback loops can be used to produce accurate and relatively precise isotope ratios for ion beams down to ~5 K cps. However, at the lower end of the signal intensities observed in this study, longer integration times are necessary to mitigate the impact of ion beam instability that can occur during laser ablation based sampling. Despite this potential limitation, the all-faraday cup method is highly versatile as exemplified by the analysis of a collection of uranium reference materials with highly variable uranium isotopic compositions.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1995684

Journal Information:: International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, Journal Name: International Journal of Mass Spectrometry Journal Issue: 2023 Vol. 492; ISSN 1387-3806

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Uranium

Title: Faraday detector uranium isotope ratio measurement: Insights from solution- and laser ablation-based sampling methodologies on the Neoma MC-ICP-MS

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