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Detection of plutonium isotopes at lowest quantities using in-source resonance ionization mass spectrometry

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Abstract

The in-source resonance ionization mass spectrometry technique was applied for quantification of ultratrace amounts of plutonium isotopes as a proof of principle study. In addition to an overall detection limit of 104 to 105 atoms, this method enables the unambiguous identification and individual quantification of the plutonium isotopes 238Pu and 241Pu which are of relevance for dating of radiogenic samples. Due to the element-selective ionization process, these isotopes can be measured even under a high surplus of isobaric contaminations from 238U or 241Am, which considerably simplifies chemical preparation. The technique was developed, tested, and characterized on a variety of synthetic and calibration samples and is presently applied to analyze environmental samples.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the framework of the interdisciplinary research training group GRK 826 “Spurenanalytik von Elementspezies: Methodenentwicklungen und Anwendungen.”

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Author notes

  1. S. Raeder

    Present address: TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, V6T 2A3, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany

    S. Raeder, A. Hakimi & K. Wendt

  2. Institut für Kernchemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, 55128, Mainz, Germany

    N. Stöbener & N. Trautmann

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  1. S. Raeder
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  2. A. Hakimi
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  3. N. Stöbener
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  4. N. Trautmann
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  5. K. Wendt
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Correspondence to S. Raeder.

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Published in the topical collection Modern Aspects on Elemental Speciation with guest editors Thorsten Hoffmann and Klaus G. Heumann.

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Raeder, S., Hakimi, A., Stöbener, N. et al. Detection of plutonium isotopes at lowest quantities using in-source resonance ionization mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 404, 2163–2172 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6238-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6238-6

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