Analysis of Single Micro-Sized Uranium Particles by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

摘要

In this work, a method is described that allows measuring the U enrichment in small uranium oxideparticles (less than 1 μm in diameter) by the use of Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS). Thisproject is driven by the need of improving the IRMM’s capabilities in the area of low-level isotopicanalysis for the support in “Environmental Sampling” for nuclear safeguards. The experimental procedurepresented here enables the examination of a single particle of interest by a combination of analyticaltechniques, thus yielding surface morphological, elemental and isotopic information. Individual particlesof NUSIMEP-6 and NBS-200 samples containing pg-size amounts of uranium were analyzed. Firstexperimental data showed the technique used in this work was an accurate method for the determinationof the U isotope ratios, including the minor isotopes, which were derived with good precision.