Laser Based Techniques for Ultra Trace Isotope Production, Spectroscopy and Detection
A variety of research activities in the field of fundamental and applied nuclear physics has evolved in the last years using resonantly tuned radiation from powerful lasers. The technique of resonance ionization spectroscopy has delivered outstanding results and found broad acceptance in the last years as a particularly efficient and highly selective method for rare and exotic radioisotope studies. It is used for production, spectroscopy and detection of these species and provides complete isobaric, high isotopic and even some isomeric selection, which altogether is needed for on-line investigation of short lived species far off stability as well as for ultra trace determination. Good overall efficiency pushes the experimental limits of detection in elemental trace analysis down to below 106 atoms per sample, and additionally isotopic selectivity as high as 3 ? 1012 has been demonstrated. The widespread potential of resonance ionization techniques is discussed, focusing on the experimental arrangements for applications in selective on-line isotope production, spectroscopy of rare radioisotopes and ultra trace determination of radiotoxic isotopes like 238Pu to 244Pu, 135,137Cs, 89,90Sr or 41Ca in environmental, technical and biomedical samples.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 885468
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-50654; HYINDN; KC0302020; TRN: US0603902
- Journal Information:
- Hyperfine Interactions, Vol. 162, Issue 1-4; ISSN 0304-3843
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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