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A comparison of two calibration methods of the 229Th spike for uranium age dating by 230Th/234U radiochronometer

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Abstract

230Th/234U radiochronometer was commonly used for uranium age determination which could help to reveal the origin of the nuclear material. 229Th was a relatively appropriate spike for measuring 230Th by isotope dilution mass spectrometry and its concentration needs to be calibrated before using as spike. A prepared 229Th solution which was used as Th isotope spike for age dating of CRM U850 sample were calibrated separately by 232Th and 230Th standard materials. The calibrated results were compared and evaluated.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank professor Ross W. Williams in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for providing the 230Th standard material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, P.O. Box 275-8, Xinzhen Fangshan District, Beijing, 102413, China

    Yan Chen, Yong-Gang Zhao, Li-Li Li, Zhi-Yuan Chang, Liu-Chao Zhu & Sheng-Hui Huang

  2. CNEC High Temperature Reactor Holdings Co.,LTD, No. 81 Zizhuyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100089, China

    Guo-Ping Xiao

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  1. Yan Chen
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  2. Yong-Gang Zhao
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  3. Li-Li Li
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  4. Zhi-Yuan Chang
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  5. Liu-Chao Zhu
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  6. Guo-Ping Xiao
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  7. Sheng-Hui Huang
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Correspondence to Yan Chen.

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Chen, Y., Zhao, YG., Li, LL. et al. A comparison of two calibration methods of the 229Th spike for uranium age dating by 230Th/234U radiochronometer. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 314, 499–505 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5396-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5396-6

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