Improved particle location and isotopic screening measurements of sub-micron sized particles by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Hedberg, Peter; Peres, P.; Cliff, John; Rabemananjara, F.; Littmann, Sten; Thiele, H.; Vincent, Cécile; Noelle, Albert

doi:10.1039/c0ja00181c

Cited by 43 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…A major focus for these types of measurements is on improving the sensitivity for the detection of uranium and transuranic isotopes in the presence of isobaric interferences without the need for complex and time-consuming sample preparation methods. Recently, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has shown promise as an effective tool for the analysis of nuclear materials with high sensitivity and minimal sample preparation [8][9][10][11]. The sensitivity of SIMS is often defined by useful yield: the number of ions detected over the number of atoms removed during the analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

RIMS analysis of ion induced fragmentation of molecules sputtered from an enriched U3O8 matrix

Willingham

Savina

Knight

et al. 2012

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

RIMS analysis of ion induced fragmentation of molecules sputtered from an enriched U3O8 matrix

Willingham

Savina

Knight

et al. 2012

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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“…Software for automated particle measurement (APM) is used for particle screening measurements. 8,9 The instrument is equipped with a multicollection detector system, which allows simultaneous isotope measurements for elements from lithium up to uranium. This system consists of five moveable collector units that are labeled L2, L1, C, H1, and H2.…”

Section: A Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, the performance of SIMS measurements for this application has been greatly improved using large geometry-SIMS (LG-SIMS) instruments that provide both automated screening capabilities to locate particles of interest as well as high precision isotopic measurements using a multi-ion counting detector system. [6][7][8][9] Low detection limits and low uncertainties are generally required for isotopic analysis of these micrometer to submicrometer particles. Samples taken from uranium enrichment facilities allow to investigate the production details and the used feed material by analyzing the 234 U/ 235 U and 236 U/ 235 U isotope ratios.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latest improvements in isotopic uranium particle analysis by large geometry–secondary ion mass spectrometry for nuclear safeguards purposes

Hedberg

Peres

Fernandes

et al. 2018

Journal of Vacuum Science &Amp; Technology B, Nanotechnology and Microelectronics: Materials, Processing, Measurement, and Phen

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Large geometry secondary ion mass spectrometry can be efficiently used to analyze uranium aerosol particles from dust samples in the search for undeclared nuclear activities. Automated sample screening measurements are followed by more precise and accurate microbeam measurements of both the major and minor uranium isotopes on selected individual particles. The quality of this work is essential in order to be able to draw valuable safeguards conclusions. This paper describes the latest developments that have been undertaken to enhance the detection limits and to reduce the uranium isotope measurement uncertainty. It includes improvements in the analytical protocol as well as in the instrument acquisition software and data reduction method. Recent useful yield measurements have been performed on uranium monodispersed particles using different primary bombardment conditions to compare to previously obtained data. Comparison of uranium isotope measurements when using pyrolytic graphite or silica planchets as a sample substrate will also be presented.

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“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] The SIMS allows us to analyze samples easily and rapidly. A main drawback in SIMS is molecular ion interferences by other elements in other particles.…”

Section: -2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility Study of Isotope Ratio Analysis of Individual Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide Particles with SIMS and ICP-MS

Esaka¹,

Magara²,

Suzuki³

et al. 2011

Mass Spectrometry Letters

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Isotope ratio analysis of nuclear materials in individual particles is of great importance for nuclear safeguards. Although secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) are utilized for the analysis of individual uranium particles, few studies were conducted for the analysis of individual uranium-plutonium mixed oxide particles. In this study, we applied SIMS and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to the isotope ratio analysis of individual U-Pu mixed oxide particles. In the analysis of individual U-Pu particles prepared from mixed solution of uranium and plutonium standard reference materials, accurate Pu peak has a possibility to prevent accurate analysis of plutonium isotope ratios. These problems would be avoided by a combination of ICP-MS and chemical separation of uranium, plutonium and americium in individual U-Pu particles.

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Improved particle location and isotopic screening measurements of sub-micron sized particles by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Cited by 43 publications

References 10 publications

RIMS analysis of ion induced fragmentation of molecules sputtered from an enriched U3O8 matrix

RIMS analysis of ion induced fragmentation of molecules sputtered from an enriched U3O8 matrix

Latest improvements in isotopic uranium particle analysis by large geometry–secondary ion mass spectrometry for nuclear safeguards purposes

Feasibility Study of Isotope Ratio Analysis of Individual Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide Particles with SIMS and ICP-MS

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