Laser Ablation Spectroscopy Techniques for Nuclear Applications

Hartig, Kyle C.; Latty, Kyle S.; Kwapis, Emily H.

doi:10.1364/lacsea.2022.ltu4b.2

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast to mass spectrometry, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a relatively simple technique capable of providing rapid results on the elemental composition of the material, alloys, and impurities with minimal sample preparation. [4][5][6] With this method, a high-powered pulsed laser is used to vaporize a small mass (approximately pg-ng) of solid material through a process known as pulsed laser ablation (LA), which results in the formation of a high-energy, luminous micro-plasma that is measured and analyzed to characterize the solid material. Reactive plasmas produced using LA are generally characterized by complex physical conditions and rapid chemical reactions, where the initial plasma is composed of atomic and ionic species that intermix and react with oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser-Induced Plasmas of Plutonium Dioxide in a Double-Walled Cell

Villa-Aleman,

Kwapis,

Foley

et al. 2024

Appl Spectrosc

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plutonium research has been stifled by the significant number of administrative controls and safety procedures, space and instrumentation limitations in radiological gloveboxes, and the potential for personnel and equipment contamination. To address the limited number of spectroscopic studies in Pu-bearing compounds in the current scientific literature, this work presents the use of double-walled cells (DWCs) in “clean” buildings/laboratories as an alternative to research in radiological gloveboxes. This study reports the first laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) experiments of a PuO2 pellet contained within a DWC, where the formation of elemental (atomic and ionic) species as well as the evolution from elemental to molecular products (Pu xO y) was measured. Raman spectroscopy was also used to characterize the surface of the ablated pellet and the particulates deposited on the window of the inner cell. The full width half-maximum of the T2g band enabled us to obtain an estimate of the temperature at the pellet surface after the ablation pulse and the particulates based on the crystal lattice disorder. Particulates deposited on the window of the DWC during laser ablation were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, where molten irregular particulates and spheroids were observed. This exciting research conducted in a DWC describes our initial attempts to incorporate LIBS in the arsenal of spectroscopic tools for nuclear forensics applications.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser-Induced Plasmas of Plutonium Dioxide in a Double-Walled Cell

Villa-Aleman,

Kwapis,

Foley

et al. 2024

Appl Spectrosc

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Optical spectroscopy techniques using laser-produced micro-plasmas including laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS), laser-induced uorescence (LIF) spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) are viable methods applied towards the standoff characterization of radiological and nuclear materials. 1 Applications range from the spectrochemical assay of gaseous UF 6 for safeguards verication of uranium enrichment levels 2,3 to the monitoring of ssion products generated during operations for molten salt reactors. 4 Interactions between aerosols and laser laments are studied to develop optical signals towards the atmospheric sensing of releases of radiological material.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%