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A multiple ion counter total evaporation (MICTE) method for precise analysis of plutonium by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

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Abstract

This paper presents a total evaporation method for the analysis of sub-picogram quantities of Pu, utilizing an array of multiple ion counters. Data from three standards are presented to assess the utility of the technique. An external precision of 1.5% RSD (2σ) was achieved on aliquots approaching 100 fg for the minor 240Pu isotope. Accurate analysis of <1 femtogram of 240Pu, is achievable, with an external reproducibility of better than 10% RSD (2σ). This new technique represents a significant advance in the total evaporation method and will allow routine measurement of femtogram sized Pu samples by thermal ionization mass spectrometry.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Robert Guest, Isotopx Ltd., for detailed discussions on the optimization of the multiple ion counters used in this study. Andy Nunn & Daniel Gurganus provided useful discussion on total evaporation. Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract number DE-AC52-06NA25396. This publication is LA-UR-17-21703.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Jeremy D. Inglis, Joel Maassen, Azim Kara, Robert E. Steiner, William S. Kinman & Dennis Lopez

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  1. Jeremy D. Inglis
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  2. Joel Maassen
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  3. Azim Kara
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  4. Robert E. Steiner
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  5. William S. Kinman
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  6. Dennis Lopez
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Correspondence to Jeremy D. Inglis.

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Inglis, J.D., Maassen, J., Kara, A. et al. A multiple ion counter total evaporation (MICTE) method for precise analysis of plutonium by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 312, 663–673 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5259-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5259-1

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