Application of Micro-XRF for Nuclear Materials Characterization and Problem Solving
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
Micro-X-ray fluorescence (MXRF) used for >> 20 years To date MXRF has been underutilized for nuclear materials (NM) spatially-resolved elemental characterization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX much more common for NM characterization at a micro scale. But MXRF fills gap for larger 10's microns to cm{sup 2} scales. Will present four interesting NM applications using MXRF. Demonstrated unique value of MXRF for various plutonium applications. Although SEM has much higher resolution, MXRF clearly better for these larger scale samples (especially non-conducting samples). MXRF useful to quickly identify insoluble particles in Pu/Np oxide. MXRF vital to locating HEPA filter Pu particles over cm{sup 2} areas which were then extracted for SEM morphology and particle size distribution analysis. MXRF perfect for surface swipes which are far too large for practical SEM imaging, and loose residue would contaminate SEM vacuum chamber. MXRF imaging of ER Plutonium metal warrants further studies to explore metal elemental heterogeneity.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DHS
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- OSTI ID:
- 1048358
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-12-23811; TRN: US1204172
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 28; Journal Issue: 2; Conference: Denver X-ray Conference ; 2012-08-06 - 2012-08-10 ; Denver, Colorado, United States
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Laboratory-based characterization of plutonium in soil particles using micro-XRF and 3D confocal XRF
Confocal (micro)-XRF for 3D anlaysis of elements distribution in hot environmental particles