Application of Fission Track Technique for the Analysis of Individual Particles Containing Uranium in Safeguard Swipe Samples

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 43; no. 7A; p. L915
• Main Authors: Esaka, Konomi T., Esaka, Fumitaka, Inagawa, Jun, Iguchi, Kazunari, Lee, Chi-Gyu, Sakurai, Satoshi, Watanabe, Kazuo, Usuda, Shigekazu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2004
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.1143/JJAP.43.L915

An effective method for isotope ratio analysis of individual particles containing uranium in safeguard swipe samples was developed by using a fission track (FT) technique combined with thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). The particles in the sample were directly recovered onto a polycarbonate membrane filter, which was set in a filtration system. After the particle recovery, the filter was dissolved to form a non coated FT detector film containing the particles. Individual particles containing uranium were then identified by the observation of fission tracks created by thermal neutron irradiation. By combining the FT technique with TIMS, isotope ratios of uranium for individual particles in the swipe sample prepared from a uranium standard reference material could be effectively determined.