Analysis of sub-picogram quantities of 238Pu by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Maassen, Joel R.; Inglis, Jeremy; Wende, Allison M.; Kayzar-Boggs, Theresa M.; Steiner, R. E.; Kara, Azim

doi:10.1007/s10967-019-06672-w

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Such instruments have shown promise for measurements of some isotopes at the sub-pg level, and detection limits in the femtogram range have been reported for Pu. 13,14 However, ion counting secondary electron multipliers have a narrow dynamic range and are limited for multi-collection purposes by the accuracy with which the gain of an ion counter can be measured relative to a Faraday cup-RTIA combination. 14,15 Thus far, the multiple ion-counting technique has been applied only for specialized applications [16][17][18] and their relatively high gain uncertainty and instability limit their utility to only a few isotope systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The push to measure increasingly smaller samples has also led to the development of TIMS instruments equipped with an array of multiple ion‐counting secondary electron multipliers. Such instruments have shown promise for measurements of some isotopes at the sub‐pg level, and detection limits in the femtogram range have been reported for Pu 13,14 . However, ion counting secondary electron multipliers have a narrow dynamic range and are limited for multi‐collection purposes by the accuracy with which the gain of an ion counter can be measured relative to a Faraday cup‐RTIA combination 14,15 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Isotopic analysis of sub‐nanogram neodymium loads using new ATONA™ amplifiers

Reinhard

Inglis

Steiner

et al. 2021

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Rationale Emerging research in the geological and nuclear forensics fields demands increasing analytical precision of isotope ratio measurements with decreasing sample sizes. Here we demonstrate the capability of a newly developed amplification technology to make precise neodymium (Nd) isotopic measurements on 100‐pg standard loads. Methods The reference materials were analyzed as NdO+ to increase the ionization efficiency of the small analyte loads. The Nd isotopic measurements were made using an IsotopX Isoprobe‐T thermal ionization mass spectrometer upgraded with the ATONA™ amplifier system. The ATONA™ amplifier system uses capacitance‐based amplification as opposed to traditional impedance‐based amplification. Results The long‐term gains of the ATONA™ amplifiers are shown to have less than 1 ppm variability. Repeat measurements of the JNdi‐1 reference material demonstrate the ability of the ATONA™ amplification technology to make measurements of 143Nd/144Nd ratios with 23 ppm external reproducibility on 100‐pg loads. The effect of increasing integration time on analytical reproducibility is also displayed as increasing integration time from 10 to 30 s reduced the external measurement uncertainty from 37 to 23 ppm. Conclusions These measurements represent an improvement of more than a factor of 3 in external measurement reproducibility relative to previously published 143Nd/144Nd measurements of 100‐pg loads. This new technology will allow for the measurement of smaller samples for precise isotope ratios and open new avenues of research in the geological and nuclear forensic communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isotopic analysis of sub‐nanogram neodymium loads using new ATONA™ amplifiers

Reinhard

Inglis

Steiner

et al. 2021

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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“…Certified reference materials were age dated by these chronometers and resulted in predicted ages for CRM 126 A of early 2001, and for CRM 138 of late 1963, which corresponded well with the manufacturers production dates. Maassen et al 155 used TIMS to measure 238 Pu at sub-pg levels by using a resin bead loading technique. It was noted that Pu ionised at considerably lower temperatures than U, which enabled a total evaporation technique to be used for Pu measurement prior to a significant isobaric overlap of U with 238 Pu.…”

Section: Isotope Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in atomic spectrometry and related techniques

Evans

Pisonero

Smith

et al. 2020

J. Anal. At. Spectrom.

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“…Maasen et al also used TIMS for detecting sub-pg quantities of 238 Pu. 225 Contamination from U was minimised by chemical separation prior to measurement, during loading using a resin bead loading procedure and a TIMS protocol that minimised U ionisation. The method offers complete Pu isotopic analysis using a single technique.…”

Section: Nuclear Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%