Improved determination of plutonium content and isotopic ratios in low activity samples by alpha-particle and underground L X-ray measurement

Appl Radiat Isot. 2006 Oct-Nov;64(10-11):1137-40. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2006.02.010. Epub 2006 Apr 18.

Abstract

The determination of the isotopic ratio of 239Pu and 240Pu by alpha-particle spectrometry is limited due to the small differences in the alpha-particle energies. But taking into account the differences in the L X-ray emission probabilities of the two plutonium isotopes, an additional L X-ray measurement allows the isotopic ratio of 239Pu and 240Pu to be determined. The sensitivity of this method can be improved, as described in this work, by performing the L X-ray measurement in an underground laboratory.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Alpha Particles*
  • Microchemistry / methods*
  • Plutonium / analysis*
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / methods*

Substances

  • Radioisotopes
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Plutonium