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Analytical considerations in the determination of uranium isotope ratios in solid uranium materials using laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS. Anal Chim Acta X 2019; 2:100018. [PMID: 33117979 PMCID: PMC7587032 DOI: 10.1016/j.acax.2019.100018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Validated analytical measurement protocols for the fast and accurate determination of the uranium (U) isotopic composition (234U, 235U, 236U, 238U) of solid nuclear materials were developed employing ns-laser ablation (LA) coupled to multi-collector ICP-MS. The accuracy of the analytical procedure was assured by frequent (n = 65) analysis of a pressed pellet of certified isotopic reference material CRM U-030 (∼3 wt% 235U). The expanded uncertainty (k = 2) for the n(235U)/n(238U) ratio was as low as 0.05%, rising to 0.62% and 1.09% for n(234U)/n(238U) and n(236U)/n(238U) ratios, respectively. LA-MC-ICP-MS measurements of a pressed pellet of certified isotopic reference material CRM U-020 (∼2 wt% 235U) before analysis of each sample allowed calculation of the ion counter gains and mass bias correction. Both individual spot analysis and line scan analysis were used to measure n(234U)/n(238U), n(235U)/n(238U), and n(236U)/n(238U) ratios in two low-enriched UO2 pellets from the fourth Collaborative Materials Exercise (CMX-4), four seized low-enriched UO2 pellets intercepted from illicit trafficking and one metal sample consisting of depleted U. LA-MC-ICP-MS results of all investigated samples matched well with U isotope ratios obtained by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). This independent confirmation of the LA-MC-ICP-MS results by TIMS underpinned the high quality of generated analytical data. Acquisition of several thousand data points within a couple of minutes during line scan analysis yielded detailed information on the spatial distribution of the U isotopic composition of selected UO2 pellets, revealing straightforwardly their (in˗)homogeneity on the μm-scale. Calculating skewness and half width of the frequency distributions of the n(235U)/n(238U) amount ratio allowed the quantitative assessment of the (in-)homogeneity of the investigated samples. This information allows drawing conclusions on the starting materials used for the production of the pellets. From a nuclear forensics perspective, LA-MC-ICP-MS provides quick, accurate results on the spatial distribution of major and minor U isotopes while preserving the sample i.e. piece of evidence, essentially intact. Accurate analysis of major and minor abundant U isotopes in various solid U materials. LA-MC-ICP-MS results of homogenous samples confirmed by independent TIMS measurements. Spatially resolved minor U isotope ratios. Assessment of isotopic inhomogeneity of U materials using descriptive statistics.
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52
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Singh J, Yadav D, Singh JD. En Route Activity of Hydration Water Allied with Uranyl (UO 22+) Salts Amid Complexation Reactions with an Organothio-Based (O, N, S) Donor Base. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:4972-4978. [PMID: 30950271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b03622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study provides en route activity of hydration water allied with uranyl salts amid complexation reactions with a donor species L bearing O, N, and S (phenolic, -OH; imine, -HC═N-; and thio-, -S-) donor functionalities. The UO22+/L reaction encounters a series of hydrolytic steps with hydration water released from uranyl salts during the complexation processes. Primarily, the coordinated [L(-HC=N)(OH)(-HC=N) → UO2(NO3)2/(OAc)2] species formed during the complexation process undergoes partial hydrolysis of the coordinated ligand resulting in the isolation of an aldehyde coordinated uranyl species [L(-HC=N)(OH)(-HC=O) → UO2(NO3)2/(OAc)2]. The influence of hydration water continued as the reaction further proceeded to the next stage resulting in alteration of the aldehyde coordinated uranyl species [L(-HC=N)(OH)(-HC=O) → UO2(NO3)2/(OAc)2] to an oxidized carboxy coordinated uranyl species [L(-HC=N) (OH){-C(═O)O} → (NO3)/(OAc)]2 without the use of any external oxidizing agents. These studies are of particular significance as they allow one to realize the adventitious role of hydration water released from commonly used uranyl salts during their reaction with organic donor substrates in nonaqueous medium. These results also form an experimental basis to understand the critical behavior of UO22+ ion activity (as oxidizing, reducing, or catalytic) relevant in many chemical, biological, and environmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagriti Singh
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110 016 , India
| | - Dolly Yadav
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110 016 , India
| | - Jai Deo Singh
- Department of Chemistry , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) , Hauz Khas , New Delhi 110 016 , India
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53
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Dorhout JM, Wilkerson MP, Czerwinski KR. A UO2-based salt target for rapid isolation of fission products. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06433-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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54
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Szakal C, Simons DS, Fassett JD, Fahey AJ. Advances in age-dating of individual uranium particles by large geometry secondary ion mass spectrometry. Analyst 2019; 144:4219-4232. [DOI: 10.1039/c9an00774a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Age-dating measurements are performed on individual uranium particles that are younger, smaller, and less enriched in 235U than previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Szakal
- Materials Measurement Science Division
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Gaithersburg
- USA
| | - David S. Simons
- Materials Measurement Science Division
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Gaithersburg
- USA
| | - John D. Fassett
- Materials Measurement Science Division
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Gaithersburg
- USA
- Dakota Consulting
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55
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Measurement of the 231Pa/ 235U ratio for the age determination of uranium materials. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018; 318:1565-1571. [PMID: 30546184 PMCID: PMC6267122 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The paper describes the age (production date) determination of uranium reference materials using the 231Pa/235U ratio. Direct addition of 237Np in secular equilibrium with its 233Pa daughter was chosen instead of the regular milking of 237Np to avoid possible loss of Pa. Sample preparation consists of a fast, one-step procedure. The developed method using ICP-MS for the measurement of 231Pa is more precise than alpha spectrometry and is applicable for freshly produced low-enriched uranium materials. The measured ages are in good agreement with the reported production dates, thus the 231Pa/235U chronometer can be applied for validation of 230Th/234U in nuclear forensics and safeguards.
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56
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Suzuki T, Yamamura T, Abe C, Konashi K, Shikamori Y. Actinide molecular ion formation in collision/reaction cell of triple quadrupole ICP-MS/MS and its application to quantitative actinide analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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57
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Naperstkow Z, Moore K, Szames D, Varlow C, Armstrong AF, Galea R. Production and standardization of an on-demand protactinium-233 tracer. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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58
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Improved protactinium spike calibration method applied to 231Pa–235U age-dating of certified reference materials for nuclear forensics. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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59
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60
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Krachler M, Varga Z, Nicholl A, Wallenius M, Mayer K. Spatial distribution of uranium isotopes in solid nuclear materials using laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS. Microchem J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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61
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Experimental evaluation of uranium ion signal intensity enhancement of TIMS using graphite powder deposition on uranium samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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62
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Discrimination of uranium ore concentrates by chemometric data analysis to support provenance assessment for nuclear forensics applications. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5912-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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63
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A simple correction method for isobaric interferences induced by lead during uranium isotope analysis using secondary ion mass spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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64
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Pacold JI, Altman AB, Knight KB, Holliday KS, Kristo MJ, Minasian SG, Tyliszczak T, Booth CH, Shuh DK. Development of small particle speciation for nuclear forensics by soft X-ray scanning transmission spectromicroscopy. Analyst 2018; 143:1349-1357. [PMID: 29479614 DOI: 10.1039/c7an01838j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Synchrotron radiation spectromicroscopy provides a combination of submicron spatial resolution and chemical sensitivity that is well-suited to analysis of heterogeneous nuclear materials. The chemical and physical characteristics determined by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) are complementary to information obtained from standard radiochemical analysis methods. In addition, microscopic quantities of radioactive material can be characterized rapidly by STXM with minimal sample handling and intrusion, especially in the case of particulate materials. The STXM can accommodate a diverse range of samples including wet materials, complex mixtures, and small quantities of material contained in a larger matrix. In these cases, the inventory of species present in a sample is likely to carry information on its process history; STXM has the demonstrated capability to identify contaminants and sample matrices. Operating in the soft X-ray regime provides particular sensitivity to the chemical state of specimens containing low-Z materials, via the K-edges of light elements. Here, recent developments in forensics-themed spectromicroscopy, sample preparation, and data acquisition methods at the Molecular Environmental Science Beamline 11.0.2 of the Advanced Light Source are described. Results from several initial studies are presented, demonstrating the capability to identify the distribution of the species present in heterogeneous uranium-bearing materials. Future opportunities for STXM forensic studies and potential methodology development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J I Pacold
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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65
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Experimental evaluation of the detection methods of thermal ionization mass spectrometry for isotopic analysis of ultra-trace level uranium. Microchem J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2017.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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66
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Varga Z, Nicholl A, Zsigrai J, Wallenius M, Mayer K. Methodology for the Preparation and Validation of Plutonium Age Dating Materials. Anal Chem 2018; 90:4019-4024. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jozsef Zsigrai
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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67
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Kristo MJ, Williams R, Gaffney AM, Kayzar-Boggs TM, Schorzman KC, Lagerkvist P, Vesterlund A, Ramebäck H, Nelwamondo AN, Kotze D, Song K, Lim SH, Han SH, Lee CG, Okubo A, Maloubier D, Cardona D, Samuleev P, Dimayuga I, Varga Z, Wallenius M, Mayer K, Loi E, Keegan E, Harrison J, Thiruvoth S, Stanley FE, Spencer KJ, Tandon L. The application of radiochronometry during the 4th collaborative materials exercise of the nuclear forensics international technical working group (ITWG). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5680-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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68
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Nelwamondo AN, Colletti LP, Lindvall RE, Vesterlund A, Xu N, Tan AHJ, Eppich GR, Genetti VD, Kokwane BL, Lagerkvist P, Pong BK, Ramebäck H, Tandon L, Rasmussen G, Varga Z, Wallenius M. Uranium assay and trace element analysis of the fourth collaborative material exercise samples by the modified Davies-Gray method and the ICP-MS/OES techniques. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5708-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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69
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Lakosi L, Zsigrai J, Kocsonya A, Nguyen TC, Ramebäck H, Parsons-Moss T, Gharibyan N, Moody K. Gamma spectrometry in the ITWG CMX-4 exercise. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018; 315:409-416. [PMID: 29497227 PMCID: PMC5820385 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5667-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Low enriched uranium samples of unknown origin were analyzed by 16 laboratories in the context of a Collaborative Materials Exercise (CMX), organized by the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG). The purpose was to compare and prioritize nuclear forensic methods and techniques, and to evaluate attribution capabilities among participants. This paper gives a snapshot of the gamma spectrometric capabilities of the participating laboratories and summarizes the results achieved by gamma spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lakosi
- 1Nuclear Security Department, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Centre for Energy Research, 29-33 Konkoly-Thege M., Budapest, 1121 Hungary
| | - J Zsigrai
- 2European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O.Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - A Kocsonya
- 1Nuclear Security Department, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Centre for Energy Research, 29-33 Konkoly-Thege M., Budapest, 1121 Hungary
| | - T C Nguyen
- 1Nuclear Security Department, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Centre for Energy Research, 29-33 Konkoly-Thege M., Budapest, 1121 Hungary
| | - H Ramebäck
- 3Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security, Cementvägen 20, SE-901 82 Umeå, Sweden.,4Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 4, SE-412 58 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - T Parsons-Moss
- 5Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, L-186, Livermore, CA 94551 USA
| | - N Gharibyan
- 5Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, L-186, Livermore, CA 94551 USA
| | - K Moody
- 5Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, L-186, Livermore, CA 94551 USA
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70
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71
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Xuan Truong N, Strashnov I, Whittaker E, Zhong XL, Denecke MA. Coherent diffractive imaging of graphite nanoparticles using a tabletop EUV source. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:29660-29668. [PMID: 29085932 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03145a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Structural information of nanostructures plays a key role in synthesis of novel nano-sized materials for promising applications such as high-performance nanoelectronics and nanophotonics. In this study, we apply for the first time the state-of-the-art coherent diffractive imaging method to characterize the structure of graphite nanoparticles. A sample with nanographites on a Si3N4 support was exposed to 30 nm radiation from a tabletop laser-driven high-order harmonic generation extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source. From the measured far-field diffraction pattern, we were able to reconstruct the distribution of the graphite nanoparticles with a spatial resolution of ∼330 nm using the standard iterative phase retrieval algorithms. A closer look at the reconstructed images reveals possible absorption effects of graphite nanoparticles. This experiment demonstrates the first step towards wide-field and high-resolution imaging of nuclear materials using the newly established lab-scale EUV source. Having such a source opens the door to performing investigations of nuclear graphite and other radioactive material in the lab, thus avoiding the need to transport samples to external facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Xuan Truong
- School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, UK.
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72
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A rapid method for quantifying 238Pu in the presence of natural 238U via quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and utilizing a resin-based extraction procedure. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5507-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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73
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Bonamici CE, Hervig RL, Kinman WS. Tracking Radionuclide Fractionation in the First Atomic Explosion Using Stable Elements. Anal Chem 2017; 89:9877-9883. [PMID: 28810732 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Compositional analysis of postdetonation fallout is a tool for forensic identification of nuclear devices. However, the relationship between device composition and fallout composition is difficult to interpret because of the complex combination of physical mixing, nuclear reactions, and chemical fractionations that occur in the chaotic nuclear fireball. Using a combination of in situ microanalytical techniques (electron microprobe analysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry), we show that some heavy stable elements (Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Dy, Lu, U, Th) in glassy fallout from the first nuclear test, Trinity, are reliable chemical proxies for radionuclides generated during the explosion. Stable-element proxies show that radionuclides from the Trinity device were chemically, but not isotopically, fractionated by condensation. Furthermore, stable-element proxies delineate chemical fractionation trends that can be used to connect present-day fallout composition to past fireball composition. Stable-element proxies therefore offer a novel approach for elucidating the phenomenology of the nuclear fireball as it relates to the formation of debris and the fixation of device materials within debris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloë E Bonamici
- Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , P.O. Box 1663, MS J514, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Richard L Hervig
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University , P.O. Box 871404, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - William S Kinman
- Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , P.O. Box 1663, MS J514, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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74
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Reading DG, Croudace IW, Warwick PE. Fusion Bead Procedure for Nuclear Forensics Employing Synthetic Enstatite to Dissolve Uraniferous and Other Challenging Materials Prior to Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2017; 89:6006-6014. [PMID: 28446019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David G. Reading
- GAU-Radioanalytical Laboratories,
OES, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - Ian W. Croudace
- GAU-Radioanalytical Laboratories,
OES, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - Phillip E. Warwick
- GAU-Radioanalytical Laboratories,
OES, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K
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75
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Varga Z, Krajkó J, Peńkin M, Novák M, Eke Z, Wallenius M, Mayer K. Identification of uranium signatures relevant for nuclear safeguards and forensics. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017; 312:639-654. [PMID: 28596631 PMCID: PMC5446562 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The paper describes the applicability of different characteristics (signatures) in nuclear safeguards and forensics for assessment of uranium material provenance in terms of production process. The study follows a uranium ore concentrate production from an ore to a U3O8 product. It turned out that rare-earth elemental pattern, radiochronometry (age of ore body and material production date), sulphur and organic impurities are useful to find out the origin or history of the material, while certain trace-elements and isotopics of Pb or Sr were found to be inconclusive. The results will be important to understand the signatures in nuclear safeguards and forensics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Judit Krajkó
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maxim Peńkin
- Department of Safeguards, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Márton Novák
- Joint Research and Training Laboratory on Separation Techniques (EKOL), Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Eke
- Joint Research and Training Laboratory on Separation Techniques (EKOL), Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Wessling International Research and Educational Center, Fóti út 56, 1047 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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76
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Olsen AM, Richards B, Schwerdt I, Heffernan S, Lusk R, Smith B, Jurrus E, Ruggiero C, McDonald LW. Quantifying Morphological Features of α-U3O8 with Image Analysis for Nuclear Forensics. Anal Chem 2017; 89:3177-3183. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b05020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam M. Olsen
- University of Utah Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Bryony Richards
- University of Utah Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI), 423 Wakara Way #300, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, United States
| | - Ian Schwerdt
- University of Utah Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Sean Heffernan
- University of Utah Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Robert Lusk
- University of Utah Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Braxton Smith
- Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute, 72 South Central Campus Drive, Room 3750 Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Elizabeth Jurrus
- Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute, 72 South Central Campus Drive, Room 3750 Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Christy Ruggiero
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Materials Chemistry, J514, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Luther W. McDonald
- University of Utah Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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77
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Ivanova B, Spiteller M. Behaviour of complexes of f–elements in the environment – An experimental and theoretical analysis. J Mol Struct 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2016.07.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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78
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Stanley FE, Mathew KJ, Byerly BL, Keller R, Spencer KJ, Thomas MR. Pursuing standards strategies in nuclear forensics: investigating extraction of progeny uranium in CRM-126a as a quality control material in Pu–U chronometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-5133-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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79
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Gates SD, Cassata WS. Application of the Uranium-Helium Chronometer to the Analysis of Nuclear Forensic Materials. Anal Chem 2016; 88:12310-12315. [PMID: 28193025 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b03502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Radiochronometers are used to constrain the manufacturing and processing history of actinide materials for nuclear forensic investigations. This paper describes U-He ages and He diffusion kinetics obtained from a metallic, highly enriched uranium sample. The average U-He age is 8% older than the known casting date, which indicates that excess He is present and is likely due to incomplete degassing of pre-existing He during the casting process. Although the U-He age is older than expected, the accuracy is comparable to other chronometers that have been applied to this material. Diffusion kinetics obtained from the uranium metal indicate that He is quantitatively retained under plausible storage conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean D Gates
- Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory , Livermore, California 94551, United States
| | - William S Cassata
- Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory , Livermore, California 94551, United States
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80
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Combinatory use of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and sector-field SIMS for estimating elemental and isotopic compositions of nuclear forensic samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-5070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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81
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Investigation of sulphur isotope variation due to different processes applied during uranium ore concentrate production. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016; 309:1113-1121. [PMID: 27594726 PMCID: PMC4990604 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4733-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The applicability and limitations of sulphur isotope ratio as a nuclear forensic signature have been studied. The typically applied leaching methods in uranium mining processes were simulated for five uranium ore samples and the n(34S)/n(32S) ratios were measured. The sulphur isotope ratio variation during uranium ore concentrate (UOC) production was also followed using two real-life sample sets obtained from industrial UOC production facilities. Once the major source of sulphur is revealed, its appropriate application for origin assessment can be established. Our results confirm the previous assumption that process reagents have a significant effect on the n(34S)/n(32S) ratio, thus the sulphur isotope ratio is in most cases a process-related signature.
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82
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Krachler M, Alvarez-Sarandes R, Rasmussen G. High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry for (234)U/(238)Pu Age Dating of Plutonium Materials and Comparison to Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2016; 88:8862-9. [PMID: 27480522 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Employing a commercial high-resolution inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HR-ICP-OES) instrument, an innovative analytical procedure for the accurate determination of the production age of various Pu materials (Pu powder, cardiac pacemaker battery, (242)Cm heat source, etc.) was developed and validated. This undertaking was based on the fact that the α decay of (238)Pu present in the investigated samples produced (234)U and both mother and daughter could be identified unequivocally using HR-ICP-OES. Benefiting from the high spectral resolution of the instrument (<5 pm) and the isotope shift of the emission lines of both nuclides, (234)U and (238)Pu were selectively and directly determined in the dissolved samples, i.e., without a chemical separation of the two analytes from each other. Exact emission wavelengths as well as emission spectra of (234)U centered around λ = 411.590 nm and λ = 424.408 nm are reported here for the first time. Emission spectra of the isotopic standard reference material IRMM-199, comprising about one-third each of (233)U, (235)U, and (238)U, confirmed the presence of (234)U in the investigated samples. For the assessment of the (234)U/(238)Pu amount ratio, the emission signals of (234)U and (238)Pu were quantified at λ = 424.408 nm and λ = 402.148 nm, respectively. The age of the investigated samples (range: 26.7-44.4 years) was subsequently calculated using the (234)U/(238)Pu chronometer. HR-ICP-OES results were crossed-validated through sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICPMS) analysis of the (234)U/(238)Pu amount ratio of all samples applying isotope dilution combined with chromatographic separation of U and Pu. Available information on the assumed ages of the analyzed samples was consistent with the ages obtained via the HR-ICP-OES approach. Being based on a different physical detection principle, HR-ICP-OES provides an alternative strategy to the well-established mass spectrometric approach and thus effectively adds to the quality assurance of (234)U/(238)Pu age dates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Krachler
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements , P.O. Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Rafael Alvarez-Sarandes
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements , P.O. Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Gert Rasmussen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements , P.O. Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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83
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Park JH, Choi EJ. Simultaneous determination of the quantity and isotopic ratios of uranium in individual micro-particles by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS). Talanta 2016; 160:600-606. [PMID: 27591656 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A method to determine the quantity and isotopic ratios of uranium in individual micro-particles simultaneously by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) has been developed. This method consists of sequential sample and spike loading, ID-TIMS for isotopic measurement, and application of a series of mathematical procedures to remove the contribution of uranium in the spike. The homogeneity of evaporation and ionization of uranium content was confirmed by the consistent ratio of n((233)U)/n((238)U) determined by TIMS measurements. Verification of the method was performed using U030 solution droplets and U030 particles. Good agreements of resulting uranium quantity, n((235)U)/n((238)U), and n((236)U)/n((238)U) with the estimated or certified values showed the validity of this newly developed method for particle analysis when simultaneous determination of the quantity and isotopic ratios of uranium is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Ho Park
- Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111 Daedeok-daero-989, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057 Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun-Ju Choi
- Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111 Daedeok-daero-989, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057 Republic of Korea
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84
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Griffiths NM, Coudert S, Moureau A, Laroche P, Angulo JF, Van der Meeren A. Forecasting the In Vivo Behavior of Radiocontaminants of Unknown Physicochemical Properties Using a Simple In Vitro Test. HEALTH PHYSICS 2016; 111:93-99. [PMID: 27356051 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of the "bioavailability" of disseminated radiocontaminants is a necessary adjunct in order to tailor treatment and to calculate dose. A simple test has been designed to predict the bioavailability of different actinide forms likely to be found after dissemination of radioactive elements by dispersal devices or nuclear reactor incidents. Plutonium (Pu) or Americium (Am) nitrate or MOX (U,PuO2) are immobilized in culture wells using a static gel phase simulating biological compartments (lung, wound, etc.). Gels are incubated in a fluid phase representing physiological media (plasma, sweat, etc.). Transfer of radionuclide from static to fluid phase reflects contaminant bioavailability. After 48 h of incubation in physiological saline, Am transfer from static to fluid phase was greater than for Pu (70% vs. 15% of initial activity). Transfer of Pu or Am was markedly less from the oxide form of the two elements (1% Am and 0.05% Pu transferred). Medium representing intracellular lysosomal fluid (pH 4) increased transfer of Pu and Am, whereas culture medium including serum reduced actinide transfer. Actinide transfer was also reduced by elements of the extracellular matrix present in the static gel phase. Increasing DTPA concentrations (5 to 500 μM) to the fluid phase significantly enhanced transfer of Pu and Am. Although this agarose gel cannot fully represent in vivo complexity, this simple test can be used to investigate and predict the behavior in vivo of radiocontaminants to support medical treatments and medical forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Griffiths
- *Laboratoire de RadioToxicologie, CEA/DRF/iRCM, Bruyères-le-Châtel, 91297 Arpajon, France; †AREVA, Direction Santé, Paris-La Défense, France
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85
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Morphology of U3O8 materials following storage under controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4923-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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86
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Ditcham TG, Wotherspoon A, Kirkbride KP, Lenehan CE, Popelka-Filcoff RS. Thermal decomposition of Australian uranium ore concentrates: characterisation of speciation and morphological changes following thermogravimetric analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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87
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Varga Z, Nicholl A, Wallenius M, Mayer K. Plutonium age dating (production date measurement) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016; 307:1919-1926. [PMID: 27003957 PMCID: PMC4779457 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4418-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes rapid methods for the determination of the production date (age dating) of plutonium (Pu) materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for nuclear forensic and safeguards purposes. One of the presented methods is a rapid, direct measurement without chemical separation using 235U/239Pu and 236U/240Pu chronometers. The other method comprises a straightforward extraction chromatographic separation, followed by ICP-MS measurement for the 234U/238Pu, 235U/239Pu, 236U/240Pu and 238U/242Pu chronometers. Age dating results of two plutonium certified reference materials (SRM 946 and 947, currently distributed as NBL CRM 136 and 137) are in good agreement with the archive purification dates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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88
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Abstract
The half-life of (234)U has been measured using a novel approach. In this method, a uranium material was chemically purified from its thorium decay product at a well-known time. The ingrowth of the (230)Th daughter product in the material was followed by measuring the accumulated (230)Th daughter product relative to its parent (234)U nuclide using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Then, the (234)U decay constant and the respective half-life could be calculated using the radioactive decay equations based on the n((230)Th)/n((234)U) amount ratio. The obtained (234)U half-life is 244 900 ± 670 years (k = 1), which is in good agreement with the previously reported results in the literature with comparable uncertainty. The main advantages of the proposed method are that it does not require the assumption of secular equilibrium between (234)U and (238)U. Moreover, the calculation is independent from the (238)U half-life value and its uncertainty. The suggested methodology can also be applied for the remeasurement of the half-lives of several other long-lived radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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89
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Varga Z, Venchiarutti C, Nicholl A, Krajkó J, Jakopič R, Mayer K, Richter S, Aregbe Y. IRMM-1000a and IRMM-1000b uranium reference materials certified for the production date. Part I: methodology, preparation and target characteristics. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016; 307:1077-1085. [PMID: 26834306 PMCID: PMC4718945 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4227-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The paper describes the preparation and production of the reference materials, IRMM-1000a and IRMM-1000b, certified for the production date based on the 230Th/234U radiochronometer in compliance with ISO Guide 34:2009. The production date of the reference materials corresponds to the last separation of 230Th from 234U, i.e. when the initial daughter nuclide content in the material was finally removed. For the preparation low-enriched uranium was used, which was purified using a unique methodology to guarantee high U recovery and Th separation efficiency. The CRM is intended for calibration, quality control, and assessment of method performance in nuclear forensics and safeguards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Célia Venchiarutti
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Judit Krajkó
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Rožle Jakopič
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements, Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Stephan Richter
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Yetunde Aregbe
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
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90
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Comparison of morphologies of a uranyl peroxide precursor and calcination products. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4692-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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91
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Keegan E, Kristo MJ, Toole K, Kips R, Young E. Nuclear Forensics: Scientific Analysis Supporting Law Enforcement and Nuclear Security Investigations. Anal Chem 2016; 88:1496-505. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Keegan
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, New South Wales 2232, Australia
| | - Michael J Kristo
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box
808, L-186, Livermore, California 94551, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Toole
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, New South Wales 2232, Australia
| | - Ruth Kips
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box
808, L-186, Livermore, California 94551, United States
| | - Emma Young
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, New South Wales 2232, Australia
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92
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Lantzos I, Kouvalaki C, Nicolaou G. Plutonium fingerprinting in nuclear forensics of spent nuclear fuel. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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93
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Developing 226Ra and 227Ac age-dating techniques for nuclear forensics to gain insight from concordant and non-concordant radiochronometers. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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94
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Mayer K, Wallenius M, Varga Z. Interviewing a Silent (Radioactive) Witness through Nuclear Forensic Analysis. Anal Chem 2015; 87:11605-10. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Mayer
- European Commission Joint Research Centre−Institute for Transuranium Elements, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission Joint Research Centre−Institute for Transuranium Elements, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Zsolt Varga
- European Commission Joint Research Centre−Institute for Transuranium Elements, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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95
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Tamasi AL, Cash LJ, Eley C, Porter RB, Pugmire DL, Ross AR, Ruggiero CE, Tandon L, Wagner GL, Walensky JR, Wall AD, Wilkerson MP. A lexicon for consistent description of material images for nuclear forensics. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4455-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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96
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Mayer K, Wallenius M, Lützenkirchen K, Horta J, Nicholl A, Rasmussen G, van Belle P, Varga Z, Buda R, Erdmann N, Kratz JV, Trautmann N, Fifield LK, Tims SG, Fröhlich MB, Steier P. Uranium from German Nuclear Power Projects of the 1940s--A Nuclear Forensic Investigation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015; 54:13452-6. [PMID: 26501922 PMCID: PMC4678420 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201504874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Here we present a nuclear forensic study of uranium from German nuclear projects which used different geometries of metallic uranium fuel. Through measurement of the (230)Th/(234)U ratio, we could determine that the material had been produced in the period from 1940 to 1943. To determine the geographical origin of the uranium, the rare-earth-element content and the (87)Sr/(86)Sr ratio were measured. The results provide evidence that the uranium was mined in the Czech Republic. Trace amounts of (236)U and (239)Pu were detected at the level of their natural abundance, which indicates that the uranium fuel was not exposed to any major neutron fluence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany).
| | - Klaus Lützenkirchen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Joan Horta
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Gert Rasmussen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Pieter van Belle
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany)
| | - Razvan Buda
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany).,Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz-Strassmann Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Germany)
| | - Nicole Erdmann
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany).,Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz-Strassmann Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Germany)
| | - Jens-Volker Kratz
- Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz-Strassmann Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Germany)
| | - Norbert Trautmann
- Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz-Strassmann Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Germany)
| | - L Keith Fifield
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601 (Australia)
| | - Stephen G Tims
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601 (Australia)
| | - Michaela B Fröhlich
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601 (Australia).,Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna (Austria)
| | - Peter Steier
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Physik, Isotopenforschung und Kernphysik, Währinger Strasse 17, 1090 Vienna (Austria)
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97
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Mayer K, Wallenius M, Lützenkirchen K, Horta J, Nicholl A, Rasmussen G, van Belle P, Varga Z, Buda R, Erdmann N, Kratz J, Trautmann N, Fifield LK, Tims SG, Fröhlich MB, Steier P. Uran aus deutschen Nuklearprojekten der 1940er Jahre – eine nuklearforensische Untersuchung. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201504874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Maria Wallenius
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Klaus Lützenkirchen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Joan Horta
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Adrian Nicholl
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Gert Rasmussen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Pieter van Belle
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Zsolt Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
| | - Razvan Buda
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
- Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz‐Strassmann‐Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Deutschland)
| | - Nicole Erdmann
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Deutschland)
- Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz‐Strassmann‐Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Deutschland)
| | - Jens‐Volker Kratz
- Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz‐Strassmann‐Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Deutschland)
| | - Norbert Trautmann
- Institut für Kernchemie, Universität Mainz, Fritz‐Strassmann‐Weg 2, 55128 Mainz (Deutschland)
| | - L. Keith Fifield
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601 (Australien)
| | - Stephen G. Tims
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601 (Australien)
| | - Michaela B. Fröhlich
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601 (Australien)
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Wien (Österreich)
| | - Peter Steier
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Physik, Isotopenforschung und Kernphysik, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Wien (Österreich)
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98
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Venchiarutti C, Varga Z, Richter S, Nicholl A, Krajko J, Jakopič R, Mayer K, Aregbe Y. IRMM-1000a and IRMM-1000b: uranium reference materials certified for the production date based on the 230Th/ 234U radiochronometer. Part II: certification. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015; 308:105-111. [PMID: 27069295 PMCID: PMC4788687 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The IRMM-1000a and IRMM-1000b uranium reference materials, of 20 and 50 mg uranium, respectively, were produced by the European Commission Joint Research Centre's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (EC-JRC-IRMM) in collaboration with the Institute for Transuranium Elements (EC-JRC-ITU). They are novel uranium reference materials certified for the production date based on the 230Th/234U radiochronometer, i.e. the date of the last chemical separation of these two radionuclides. The certified reference value and its uncertainty, homogeneity and stability of the material were established in accordance with the ISO Guide 34:2009 and the 'Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement'.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Venchiarutti
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Z. Varga
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - S. Richter
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - A. Nicholl
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - J. Krajko
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - R. Jakopič
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - K. Mayer
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Y. Aregbe
- />European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
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Miyamoto Y, Suzuki D, Esaka F, Magara M. Accurate purification age determination of individual uranium–plutonium mixed particles. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-8880-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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100
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Varga Z, Mayer K, Bonamici CE, Hubert A, Hutcheon I, Kinman W, Kristo M, Pointurier F, Spencer K, Stanley F, Steiner R, Tandon L, Williams R. Validation of reference materials for uranium radiochronometry in the frame of nuclear forensic investigations. Appl Radiat Isot 2015; 102:81-86. [PMID: 26043276 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The results of a joint effort by expert nuclear forensic laboratories in the area of age dating of uranium, i.e. the elapsed time since the last chemical purification of the material are presented and discussed. Completely separated uranium materials of known production date were distributed among the laboratories, and the samples were dated according to routine laboratory procedures by the measurement of the (230)Th/(234)U ratio. The measurement results were in good agreement with the known production date showing that the concept for preparing uranium age dating reference material based on complete separation is valid. Detailed knowledge of the laboratory procedures used for uranium age dating allows the identification of possible improvements in the current protocols and the development of improved practice in the future. The availability of age dating reference materials as well as the evolvement of the age dating best-practice protocol will increase the relevance and applicability of age dating as part of the tool-kit available for nuclear forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Varga
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - K Mayer
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Postfach 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - C E Bonamici
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 8745, USA
| | - A Hubert
- CEA, DAM, DIF, F91297 Arpajon, France
| | - I Hutcheon
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - W Kinman
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 8745, USA
| | - M Kristo
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | | | - K Spencer
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 8745, USA
| | - F Stanley
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 8745, USA
| | - R Steiner
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 8745, USA
| | - L Tandon
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 8745, USA
| | - R Williams
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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