A blueprint for radioanalytical metrology CRMs, intercomparisons, and PE

A rapid isotope ratio analysis protocol for nuclear solid materials using nano-second laser-ablation time-of-flight ICP-MS

“…The limited availability for actinide reference materials characterized for impurities is discussed by Bü rger et al (2009b); trace elements, which are of interest in nuclear forensics and safeguards analysis, can also be analyzed with the described LA-TOF-ICP-MS protocol. The need for new (certified) reference materials, and gaps in the availability of RMs, in various fields including radiobioassay, nuclear forensics, attribution, nonproliferation, safeguards, radiochronology, and low-level isotope ratio measurements is discussed by Inn et al (2008) in detail.…”

A beginner's guide to uranium chronometry in nuclear forensics and safeguards

“…Additional details on the dearth of useful nuclear forensics and safeguards reference standards can be found in ref. 28, which also discusses the lack of standards in related radiobioassay and environmental research.…”

“…Predominant strategies for addressing the current lack of chronometry standards include expanding certification of current isotopic reference materials for age-dating use 28 and developing novel methods to allow for more independent production of standards by research groups around the world. Independent, in-house production of a uranium radiochronometry reference material was recently reported by the Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU).…”

A new bench-top approach to the isotopic purification of 244Pu

“…Improvements in the isotopic purity of important actinide tracers like 233 U, 236 Np, 243 Am and 244 Pu have advanced very little in the last 30-40 years despite huge advances in mass spectrometry for isotope ratio and quantitative measurements [1,2]. The primary reason for the lack of any significant progress on isotopic purity has been in most cases the cost, despite the tiny amounts (\1 ng/analysis) of these isotopes required in modern analytical procedures.…”