Particle isolation for analysis of uranium minor isotopes in individual particles by secondary ion mass spectrometry

Esaka, Fumitaka; Esaka, Konomi T.; Lee, C.G.; Magara, Masaaki; Sakurai, S.; Usuda, Shigekazu; Watanabe, Kazuo

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2006.05.091

Cited by 74 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] The methods and procedures were validated, for example, by the use of reference materials certified by NBL (New Brunswick Laboratory) such as CRM111A ( 233 U 29 for validation of the developed bulk and particle analytical methods. The JAEA's measurement results and capabilities were proved to be excellent in the comparisons.…”

Section: Validation Of Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to overcome the problem in SIMS method, we developed a method to pick up individual particle containing U or fissile materials by micro-manipulation in SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analysis) (see Figure 3 left). [14][15][16] For the FT-TIMS method, it is easy to observe FT by an optical microscope and to collect the particles separately (see Figure 3 right). [21][22][23] This method enables us to selectively detect highly enriched U particles, which is critical in the nuclear safeguards.…”

Section: Daily Inspectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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QA/QC Activities and Estimation of Uncertainty for Ultra-trace Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium in Safeguards Environmental Samples

Usuda

Magara

Esaka

et al. 2010

Journal of Nuclear and Radiochemical Sciences

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Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting the environmental sample analysis, which is one of the IAEA's safeguards measures. In the analysis, isotope ratios of ultra-trace amounts of uranium and plutonium in samples taken from nuclear facilities are determined to detect undeclared nuclear materials and activities. In order to keep and enhance the reliability of the measurement results, validation of analytical methods and estimation of measurement uncertainty in such ultra-trace analysis should be properly done in accordance with worldwide standards. In this paper, the current activities on achievement of QA/QC (quality assurance and quality control) and estimation of measurement uncertainty in the ultra-trace analysis at a clean chemistry laboratory (CLEAR) of JAEA are reported.

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Section: Validation Of Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Daily Inspectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

QA/QC Activities and Estimation of Uncertainty for Ultra-trace Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium in Safeguards Environmental Samples

Usuda

Magara

Esaka

et al. 2010

Journal of Nuclear and Radiochemical Sciences

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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%

“…As an alternative method, we developed a technique by a combination of particle manipulation under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and isotope ratio analysis with SIMS. 5 The particle manipulation allowed us to transfer only uranium particles for subsequent SIMS analysis, giving accurate isotope ratio results.…”

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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“…7,8 During the analysis of a uranium particle, elements such as lead (Pb) and tungsten (W) in neighboring particles may produce molecular ions and cause spectral interferences on the uranium mass region (e.g.,…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uranium Particle Identification with SEM-EDX for Isotopic Analysis by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Esaka¹,

Magara²

2016

Mass Spectrometry Letters

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: Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a promising tool to measure isotope ratios of individual uranium particles in environmental samples for nuclear safeguards. However, the analysis requires prior identification of a small number of uranium particles that coexist with a large number of other particles without uranium. In the present study, this identification was performed by scanning electron microscopy -energy dispersive X-ray analysis with automated particle search mode. The analytical results for an environmental sample taken at a nuclear facility indicated that the observation of backscattered electron images with × 1000 magnification was appropriate to efficiently identify uranium particles. Lower magnification (less than × 500) made it difficult to detect smaller particles of approximately 1 µm diameter. After identification, each particle was manipulated and transferred for subsequent isotope ratio analysis by SIMS. Consequently, the isotope ratios of individual uranium particles were successfully determined without any molecular ion interference. It was demonstrated that the proposed technique provides a powerful tool to measure individual particles not only for nuclear safeguards but also for environmental sciences.

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Particle isolation for analysis of uranium minor isotopes in individual particles by secondary ion mass spectrometry

Cited by 74 publications

References 8 publications

QA/QC Activities and Estimation of Uncertainty for Ultra-trace Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium in Safeguards Environmental Samples

QA/QC Activities and Estimation of Uncertainty for Ultra-trace Analysis of Uranium and Plutonium in Safeguards Environmental Samples

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

Uranium Particle Identification with SEM-EDX for Isotopic Analysis by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

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