Revisiting the fission track method for the analysis of particles in safeguards environmental samples.
Talanta 2017;
167:583-592. [PMID:
28340764 DOI:
10.1016/j.talanta.2017.01.090]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This paper details an improved approach to environmental particle analysis for safeguards by means of a combination of an upgraded version of the so-called fission track method with state-of-the-art microscope and microprobe techniques. Improvements to the fission track method comprise a novel sample assembly, the automation of several of its steps and the extensive use of correlative microscopy. This is followed by an automated isolation of particles-of-interest by means of laser micro-dissection (LMD) and their collection onto a harvester for transfer to other micro-analytical instruments for further analysis. The samples examined in this contribution were analysed for their nuclear material signatures, in particular the presence of uranium isotopes. The length of a single analysis cycle herewith was reduced to 12 days.
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