Preparation of high-resolution 238U I--sources by electrodeposition: a comprehensive study

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 298; no. 1; pp. 345 - 352
• Main Authors: JobbA!gy, Viktor, Crespo, M, Ammel, Raf, Marouli, Maria, Moens, Andre, Pomme, Stefaan, Garcia-ToraA-o, Eduardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-10-2013
• Subjects: Counting; Density; Deposition; Electrodeposition; Electrolytes; Metrology; Nuclear chemistry; Surface chemistry
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2444-8

In this paper the source preparation procedures for high-resolution 238U sources are described and compared. This work was done within collaboration between CIEMAT and IRMM in the frame of MetroFission, a project of the European Metrology Research Programme, in order to determine the alpha-emission probabilities of 238U. 238U was deposited from organic (iso-propanol) and inorganic-H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4, saturated NH4NO3-electrolyte solutions on metal backings. The parameters affecting electrodeposition were studied and optimized. The activity distribution of uranium was checked by autoradiography. Results show that the 238U source quality is significantly better using the saturated NH4NO3 than the two other electrolytes. By this method, sources of 18.6-22 mm diameter, 26 mu g cm-2 surface density, ~15-18 keV resolution and a peak to valley ratio higher than 50 could be made. This reconciles the inherently opposing requirements of high resolution and sufficient count rate needed to determine the alphaaemission probabilities accurately.