Measurement Technique of Boron Isotopic Ratio by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

• Published in: Journal of nuclear science and technology Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 34 - 39
• Main Authors: NIKI, Hideaki, YASUDA, Takashi, KITAZIMA, Iwao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Taylor & Francis 01-01-1998; Atomic Energy Society of Japan; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: accuracy; Applied sciences; boron; boron isotopes; boron oxide; emission spectroscopy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; isotopic ratio; laser-induced breakdown; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; Boron; Emission spectroscopy; Measurements; Reactor material; Isotopic composition; Laser irradiation; Nuclear reactors
• ISSN: 0022-3131; 1881-1248
• DOI: 10.1080/18811248.1998.9733817

Measurement technique of isotopic ratio of boron by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been investigated. By irradiating a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser onto the boron disk sample in a low pressure of ambient air the emission spectra of BO molecule were observed in the wavelength region from 330 nm to 560 nm. Twelve bands of the
2
Π-
2
ΣC transition were identified by their spectral positions and by the aid of the computer calculation code developed in this study. Each band spectrum observed in the experiment was well reproduced by this calculation code. It was found that each band spectrum consists of three wide peaks and from their relative peak heights the isotopic ratios of boron can be evaluated. From the analysis of the (0-2) band spectrum it was found that the change of the relative peak heights could be detectable using this experimental arrangement if the concentration of
10
B decreased by 5% from its natural abundance. Measurement precision can be improved by using a detection system with a spatial resolution and this technique is expected to be a simple method of measuring the boron isotopic ratio.