Evaluation of chronometers in plutonium age determination for nuclear forensics: What if the ‘Pu/U clocks’ do not match?

Šturm, Martina Burnik; Stephan, Richter; Yetunde, Aregbe; Wellum, R.; Mialle, S.; Mayer, Klaus; Prohaska, Thomas

doi:10.1007/s10967-014-3294-8

Cited by 35 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…If concordant model ages are determined with multiple radiochronometers, then the model age may be interpreted as the production age of the material with a high degree of confidence. Concordant model ages are observed in many uranium and plutonium reference materials that are commonly analyzed for validation of analytical methods (Wallenius & Mayer 2000, Nygren et al 2007, Shinonaga et al 2009, Eppich et al 2013, Sturm et al 2014). However, reference materials are produced with great care in controlled environments; real world samples produced in industrial facilities may not necessarily be expected to exhibit such ideal behavior.…”

Section: Results Of Chronometric Studiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…In cases where multiple radiochronometers yield inconsistent model ages, an understanding of the behavior of parent and progeny elements during the relevant processes involved in material production may aid in inferring the sample history (Sturm et al 2014, Kayzar & Williams 2016). At present, this understanding is very basic, and the interpretation of inconsistent model ages in a more rigorous manner will require further fundamental research on the behavior of uranium and plutonium and their decay products during nuclear material production processes.…”

Section: Results Of Chronometric Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 238 U-242 Pu system is generally not used in age determinations as the long half-life of 242 Pu (375,000 years), combined with the low 242 Pu abundance in most bulk plutonium materials and the high abundance of 238 U in natural uranium contamination, precludes its usefulness (Sturm et al 2014). Typically, the 236 U-240 Pu system is the least likely to be affected by postproduction disturbance or contamination.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is because 240 Pu has a relatively short half-life (6,563 years), and the 236 U/ 240 Pu ratio therefore changes relatively quickly, but also because 236 U is either absent or present in very low abundance in natural and low-enriched uranium (LEU) (Richter et al 2005. As a result, contamination of bulk plutonium with natural uranium or LEU will only minimally affect this ratio (Sturm et al 2014). Therefore, in some cases, it may be assumed that the 236 U-240 Pu model age represents the production age of the material; a consistent 241 Pu model age provides support for this assumption.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, in some cases, it may be assumed that the 236 U-240 Pu model age represents the production age of the material; a consistent 241 Pu model age provides support for this assumption. From this, excess 234 U, 235 U, and 238 U in the sample may be calculated, and the uranium isotope ratios can then be used to constrain the characteristics of the contaminant (Sturm et al 2014). …”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nuclear forensic science seeks to identify the origin of nuclear materials found outside regulatory control. It is increasingly recognized as an integral part of a robust nuclear security program. This review highlights areas of active, evolving research in nuclear forensics, with a focus on analytical techniques commonly employed in Earth and planetary sciences. Applications of nuclear forensics to uranium ore concentrates (UOCs) are discussed first. UOCs have become an attractive target for nuclear forensic researchers because of the richness in impurities compared to materials produced later in the fuel cycle. The development of chronometric methods for age dating nuclear materials is then discussed, with an emphasis on improvements in accuracy that have been gained from measurements of multiple radioisotopic systems. Finally, papers that report on casework are reviewed, to provide a window into current scientific practice. Ian Hutcheon, our friend, colleague, and mentor, passed away on March 26, 2015, during the writing of this review paper. Ian (PhD, Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1974)

show abstract

Section: Results Of Chronometric Studiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Results Of Chronometric Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Actinides: Nuclear Forensics

Wallenius

Lützenkirchen

Mayer

et al. 2018

Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The smuggling of nuclear materials, including weapons‐grade uranium and plutonium, arose in a particularly problematic form in the early 1990s, and gave rise to the development of a new forensic discipline—nuclear forensics. Its principal aim is to determine the origin of nuclear and other radioactive materials that are out of regulatory control. Existing analytical techniques as used in material science, nuclear safeguards, and environmental analysis have been adapted to the specific needs of nuclear forensic investigations. During the past 20 years, new methodologies have been developed, aiming at identifying useful “nuclear forensic signatures” in order to reduce the ambiguities remaining in the interpretation of analytical results. The hazards involved with nuclear smuggling and the potential relation with nuclear terrorism are the driving forces for deploying and further advancing this scientific area.

show abstract

Accurate purification age determination of individual uranium–plutonium mixed particles

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Age of individual uranium-plutonium (U/Pu) mixed particles with various U/Pu atomic ratios (1-70) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Micron-sized particles were prepared from U and Pu certified reference materials. The Pu reference was stored for 4-6 years since the last purification (July 14, 2008). The Pu purification age was obtained from the (241)Am/(241)Pu ratio which was calculated from the product of three measured ratios of Pu and Am isotopes in the eluted fractions. These ratios were measured by a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer equipped with a desolvation system. Femto-gram to pico-gram quantities of Am, U, and Pu in a sample solution were sequentially separated on a small anion-exchange column. The (241)Am/(241)Pu ratio was accurately determined by spiking pure (243)Am into the sample solution. The average determined age for the particles for the five independent U/Pu ratios was in good agreement with the expected age with high accuracy (difference age 0.27 years) and high precision (standard deviation 0.44 years). The described analytical technique can serve as an effective tool for nuclear safeguards and environmental radiochemistry. Figure Young (4-6 y) Pu purification age of individual U/Pu mixed micron-sized reference particles for the five independent U/Pu ratios (1-70) were determined with 0.27±0.44 y difference from the expected age. Sub pico-gram quantities of Am, U and Pu were sequentially separated a small column, and their isotope ratios were accurately measured using an ICP-MS by applying the (243)Am spiking technique to the analysis and correcting the impurity and the contaminations.

show abstract

Evaluation of chronometers in plutonium age determination for nuclear forensics: What if the ‘Pu/U clocks’ do not match?

Cited by 35 publications

References 33 publications

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Actinides: Nuclear Forensics

Accurate purification age determination of individual uranium–plutonium mixed particles

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About