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Determination of thorium and uranium at the nanogram per gram level in semiconductor potting plastics by neutron activation analysis

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Abstract

A method was developed to determine thorium and uranium in semiconductor potting plastics. The method is based on neutron activation and subsequent radiochemical separation to isolate and permit measurement of the daughter products233Pa and239Np of the induced233Th and239U. These plastics typically contain macro amounts of silicon, bromine and antimony and nanogram per gram amounts of thorium and uranium. The radiochemical method provides the necessary sensitivity and makes it possible to easily attain adequate decontamination of the tiny amounts of233Pa and239Np from the high levels of radioactive bromine and antimony.

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Dyer, F.F., Emery, J.F. & Bate, L.C. Determination of thorium and uranium at the nanogram per gram level in semiconductor potting plastics by neutron activation analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 110, 221–226 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055024

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055024

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