AMS of natural 236U and 239Pu produced in uranium ores

K. M. Wilcken; T. T. Barrows; L. K. Fifield; S. G. Tims; P. Steier

doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2007.01.210

AMS of natural ²³⁶U and ²³⁹Pu produced in uranium ores

K. M. Wilcken^*, T. T. Barrows, L. K. Fifield, S. G. Tims, P. Steier

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The rare isotopes ²³⁶U and ²³⁹Pu are produced naturally by neutron capture in uranium ores. Here we measure ²³⁶U and ²³⁹Pu by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in the same ore samples for the first time. To ensure efficient extraction of both elements and isotopic equilibrium between the ²³⁹Pu in the ore and a ²⁴²Pu spike, we developed a new sample preparation protocol. AMS has clear advantages over previous methods because it achieves better discrimination against molecular interferences with higher sensitivity and shorter counting times. Measurements of ²³⁶U and ²³⁹Pu hold considerable promise as proxy indicators of neutron flux and uranium concentration.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	727-732
Number of pages	6
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
Volume	259
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2007.01.210
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2007

Keywords

U
Pu
AMS
Uranium ore

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10.1016/j.nimb.2007.01.210

Cite this

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title = "AMS of natural 236U and 239Pu produced in uranium ores",

abstract = "The rare isotopes 236U and 239Pu are produced naturally by neutron capture in uranium ores. Here we measure 236U and 239Pu by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in the same ore samples for the first time. To ensure efficient extraction of both elements and isotopic equilibrium between the 239Pu in the ore and a 242Pu spike, we developed a new sample preparation protocol. AMS has clear advantages over previous methods because it achieves better discrimination against molecular interferences with higher sensitivity and shorter counting times. Measurements of 236U and 239Pu hold considerable promise as proxy indicators of neutron flux and uranium concentration.",

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T1 - AMS of natural 236U and 239Pu produced in uranium ores

AU - Wilcken, K. M.

AU - Barrows, T. T.

AU - Fifield, L. K.

AU - Tims, S. G.

AU - Steier, P.

PY - 2007/6/1

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AB - The rare isotopes 236U and 239Pu are produced naturally by neutron capture in uranium ores. Here we measure 236U and 239Pu by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in the same ore samples for the first time. To ensure efficient extraction of both elements and isotopic equilibrium between the 239Pu in the ore and a 242Pu spike, we developed a new sample preparation protocol. AMS has clear advantages over previous methods because it achieves better discrimination against molecular interferences with higher sensitivity and shorter counting times. Measurements of 236U and 239Pu hold considerable promise as proxy indicators of neutron flux and uranium concentration.

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