Measurement of neptunium-237 by SID ionization source

Improved sample utilization in thermal ionization mass spectrometry isotope ratio measurements: refined development of porous ion emitters for nuclear forensic applications

“…Typically, the resin bead method involves placing a single bead pre-loaded with analyte at the center of the trough of a V-type filament and securing This technique has also been used to measure neptunium, americium and ruthenium [47,107]. Efurd et al report an ionization efficiency of 1 % for 0.1 ng neptunium samples [107], no ionization efficiency numbers were reported for americium or ruthenium.…”

Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) in nuclear science and technology – a review

“…28 A surface ionisation-diffusion type ionisation source (SID) using a rhenium lament overplated with platinum was also shown to give high sensitivity for Pu and Np. 29,30 For Pu, a sensitivity of 0.5 to 2 ng with precision and accuracy of 0.07% was quoted and a detection limit of 10 5 atoms of neptunium was determined using the SID source. For thorium, an ionisation efficiency of 4% was reported using the carburised lament and employing charge collection in TIMS.…”

Production, Separation, and Purification of 236Np and 236Pu

“…By employing mass spectrometric measurement techniques it is possible to use 236, Np to quantify 237 Np [1], Alpha spectroscopy is capable of detecting 1 χ 10 ~ 6 Bq of plutonium. Thermal ionization mass spectrometers operating in the pulse counting mode are able to detect 1 χ ΙΟ" 9 Bq (1 χ 10 5 atoms) of 237 Np [2], The limits of detection reached through these techniques are influenced by the chemical yield and cleanliness achieved during sample preparation and by the isotopic purity of the 236 Pu and 236 'Np tracers.…”