Nd, Am and Cm isotopic measurements after simultaneous separation in transmutation irradiated samples

Abstract

In this work, a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) separation followed by Thermal Ionization Mass spectrometry (TIMS) measurements was optimized to measure Am, Cm and Nd isotope ratios in irradiated samples....

Optimization of double isotope dilution

“…All theoretical investigations were performed on the same sample (DIAMINO sample [4,22]). The characteristics of the sample have been summarized in Table 1.…”

“…The characteristics of the sample have been summarized in Table 1. The isotope ratios, abundances and uncertainties of the sample were determined in previous studies [4,22]. The U and Pu amount concentration of the sample were estimated using a L-line X-ray fluorescence analysis located in a shielded line [23].…”

“…As concrete examples, experiments performed on samples from the DIAMINO irradiation were considered in detail. 4,22 The DIAMINO irradiation is an analytical irradiation experiment performed on UAmO 2 discs to study their behaviors under irradiation, to determine the americium transmutation yield and to study the influence of the microstructure on the gas release as a function of temperature. Among the determinations, 238 Pu/ 238 U, 241 Am/ 238 U and 148 Nd/ 238 U ratios were of prime interest.…”

“…The isotope ratios, abundances and uncertainties of the sample were determined in previous studies. 4,22 The U and Pu amount concentration of the sample was estimated using a L-line X-ray fluorescence analysis located in a shielded line. 23 It is a non-destructive, non-invasive and relatively fast technique giving the actinide amount concentration with an uncertainty of about 10%.…”

Determination of 241Am in Environmental Samples: A Review

“…Alexandre Quemeta et al [ 150 ] demonstrated that TIMS measurements with the TE method combined with isotope dilution could yield expanded uncertainties (k = 2) at 0.1% and 0.81% for the 241 Am/ 243 Am ratio and the concentration of 241 Am. In a more recent study, they employed TIMS with total evaporation to measure Nd, Am, and Cm isotopes, and the uncertainty estimations were below 0.2% (k = 2) [ 151 ]. Multiple collector thermal ionization mass spectrometry (MC-TIMS) was evaluated for trace and ultra-trace levels of the isotope ratio analyses of actinides.…”