Accurate measurement of uranium isotope ratios in solid samples by laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

A multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) coupled to a 213 nm ns-laser was used to measure uranium isotope ratios (234U/238U, 235U/238U, and 236U/238U) in six solid nuclear certified reference materials (CRMs).

Analytical considerations in the determination of uranium isotope ratios in solid uranium materials using laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS

“…To overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, laser ablation (LA), coupled to either single or multi-collector ICP-MS, is increasingly employed for U isotopic analysis of nuclear samples [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ]. As LA does not require any sophisticated sample preparation, measurement results can be obtained in a timely manner.…”

Single shot laser ablation MC-ICP-MS for depth profile analysis of U isotopes in UO2 single crystals

“…At such low uences, uctuations may be expected that are liable to have an essential impact on the laser ablation rate. 8 Compared to our previous work, [10][11][12] the carrier gas of the LA unit was changed from Ar to He in this study. The use of He instead of Ar is known to change the aerosol expansion and to improve the transport efficiency.…”

“…Further experimental details were reported earlier. [10][11][12] The Faraday detectors of a double-focusing multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS, Nu Plasma™, NU Instruments, Wrexham, Wales, U.K.) measured the abundance of 235 U and 238 U in the ablated particle cloud. Before switching to LA, the MC-ICP-MS was tuned for sensitivity and stability of U signals in solution mode employing an aqueous 30 ng L À1 U calibration solution having natural U isotopic composition.…”

“…Additional information can be found elsewhere. [10][11][12] A minimum of ve sets of LA-MC-ICP-MS experiments were conducted for each parameter reported in this study. The signal intensities of 235 U and 238 U were recorded with the time-resolved-analysis option of MC-ICP-MS soware.…”

“…1 Nowadays, the accurate and precise determination of the elemental and/or isotopic composition of advanced crystalline materials is of utmost importance to guarantee their properties and to identify potential contaminants. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Classical analytical approaches employing dissolution of a fragment of such materials followed by subsequent chemical analysis are not effective because their features are captured either in thin (nm to mm thick) layers or within local hot spots. Therefore, solid sampling techniques such as Electro-Thermal Vaporisation (ETV) or Laser Ablation (LA) are employed frequently for this purpose.…”