Age determination of single plutonium particles after chemical separation

Shinonaga, Taeko; Donohue, D. L.; Ciurapinski, A.; Klose, D.

doi:10.1016/j.sab.2008.10.044

Cited by 29 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…If concordant model ages are determined with multiple radiochronometers, then the model age may be interpreted as the production age of the material with a high degree of confidence. Concordant model ages are observed in many uranium and plutonium reference materials that are commonly analyzed for validation of analytical methods (Wallenius & Mayer 2000, Nygren et al 2007, Shinonaga et al 2009, Eppich et al 2013, Sturm et al 2014). However, reference materials are produced with great care in controlled environments; real world samples produced in industrial facilities may not necessarily be expected to exhibit such ideal behavior.…”

Section: Results Of Chronometric Studiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

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Nuclear forensic science seeks to identify the origin of nuclear materials found outside regulatory control. It is increasingly recognized as an integral part of a robust nuclear security program. This review highlights areas of active, evolving research in nuclear forensics, with a focus on analytical techniques commonly employed in Earth and planetary sciences. Applications of nuclear forensics to uranium ore concentrates (UOCs) are discussed first. UOCs have become an attractive target for nuclear forensic researchers because of the richness in impurities compared to materials produced later in the fuel cycle. The development of chronometric methods for age dating nuclear materials is then discussed, with an emphasis on improvements in accuracy that have been gained from measurements of multiple radioisotopic systems. Finally, papers that report on casework are reviewed, to provide a window into current scientific practice. Ian Hutcheon, our friend, colleague, and mentor, passed away on March 26, 2015, during the writing of this review paper. Ian (PhD, Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1974)

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Section: Results Of Chronometric Studiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

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“…More precise measurement of particle size combined with quantitative analysis of U and Pu would allow us to estimate the mass and density of particles. The results of further studies on chemical analysis of particles for age determination of Pu in single particles will be published elsewhere [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As for the first step of the particle-chemical analysis, this work was performed to assist the development of a particle manipulation technique and as a preliminary study for further chemical separation of U, Pu and Am in a single particle to obtain more accurate and detailed information. The results of further studies on chemical analysis of particles for age determination of Pu in single particles will be published elsewhere [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isotopic analysis of single uranium and plutonium particles by chemical treatment and mass spectrometry

Shinonaga

Esaka

Magara

et al. 2008

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

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“…The reference materials are sediments collected at: a) the Bothnian Sea, in the Baltic (IAEA-300) 241 Pu has been used in combination with 241 Am as an age-dating tool for environmental samples [33][34][35]. The initial amount of 241 Am in the compartment is assumed to be zero, and the fractionation between the mother and daughter radionuclides negligible.…”

Section: Validation Of the Radiochemical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining ²⁴¹Pu in environmental samples: case studies in alpine soils

Alvarado¹,

Chawla

Froidevaux

2011

Radiochimica Acta

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A procedure was developed for determining 241Pu activity in environmental samples. This beta emitter isotope of plutonium was measured by ultra low level liquid scintillation, after several separation and purification steps that involved the use of a highly selective extraction chromatographic resin (Eichrom-TEVA). Due to the lack of reference material for 241Pu, the method was nevertheless validated using four IAEA reference sediments with information values for 241Pu. Next, the method was used to determine the 241Pu activity in alpine soils of Switzerland and France. The 241Pu/239,240Pu and 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratios confirmed that Pu contamination in the tested alpine soils originated mainly from global fallout from nuclear weapon tests conducted in the fifties and sixties. Estimation of the date of the contamination, using the 241Pu/241Am age-dating method, further confirmed this origin. However, the 241Pu/241Am dating method was limited to samples where Pu-Am fractionation was insignificant. If any, the contribution of the Chernobyl accident is negligible.

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Age determination of single plutonium particles after chemical separation

Cited by 29 publications

References 7 publications

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Isotopic analysis of single uranium and plutonium particles by chemical treatment and mass spectrometry

Determining ²⁴¹Pu in environmental samples: case studies in alpine soils

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Age determination of single plutonium particles after chemical separation

Cited by 29 publications

References 7 publications

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Isotopic analysis of single uranium and plutonium particles by chemical treatment and mass spectrometry

Determining 241Pu in environmental samples: case studies in alpine soils

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Product

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About

Determining ²⁴¹Pu in environmental samples: case studies in alpine soils