Nuclear forensic investigations: Two case studies

Wallenius, Maria; Mayer, Klaus; Ray, I.L.F.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.12.029

Cited by 112 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Several cases, such as the 1992 Augsburg seizure ) and 2003 Lithuania seizures (Wallenius et al 2006), involved the seizure of uranium oxide fuel pellets. In their analysis of the fuel pellets from the Augsburg seizure in 1992, ITU researchers measured the pellet mass and dimensions, determined the U assay with potentiometric titration, measured the U isotopic composition by TIMS, and used optical microscopy for determining macroscopic parameters.…”

Section: International Seizuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

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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)

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Section: International Seizuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wallenius et al (2006Wallenius et al ( , 2007 presence of Pu mixed with U and/or other compounds. Work at the ITU revealed that the Tengen material was 10 wt% Pu mixed with Hg, Sb, I, Ga, and O.…”

Section: International Seizuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

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“…The knowledge of such characteristic is useful to identify and understand the processes affecting an element, and determine the ages of the minerals [1,2]. The interpretation of the isotopic composition of uranium (both natural and enriched) is of prime interest for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for monitoring nuclear installations in order to verify the material conformity to the nuclear grade specification, to identify material origins and to control the nuclear activities [1,[3][4][5][6][7]. Uranium mineral has an isotope ratio 235 U/ 238 U relatively constant whatever its origin [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of an analysis method of minor uranium isotope ratio measurements using electron multipliers in Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Quemet

Maloubier

Dalier

et al. 2014

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

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a b s t r a c tA simple analytical procedure was developed to measure with high accuracy the isotope ratio of minor isotope of natural uranium present in small quantities using a thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS). The reduction of quantities used for analysis and the measurement of non-abundant isotopes are of prime interest in the nuclear industry. Indeed it is necessary to reduce the analyst received dose and the effluent released, as well as realizing measurement at trace level. The new generation of TIMS is equipped with a multicollection system of electron multipliers: discrete dynode electron multiplier (SEM) and continuous dynode electron multiplier (MIC), that improve the sensitivity compared to faraday cups. The procedure developed was verified using Certified Reference Material IRMM 052. Results were evaluated relying on NF T 90-210 norm regarding method validation. First, the isotope ratio 234 U/ 238 U was examined by total evaporation using the SEM and MIC to measure 234 U and the faraday cup to measure 238 U. In a second approach, the isotope ratio 235 U/ 238 U was studied by total evaporation using the SEM to measure 235 U and the faraday cup to measure 238 U. The classical method with peak-jumping SEM measurement was also used. Total evaporation method employing only the faraday cup was used to confront the results obtained. The analyzable quantity was reduced from 250 ng to 50 ng for the 235 U/ 238 U isotope ratio and from 1270 ng to 50 ng for the 234 U/ 238 U isotope ratio with acceptable uncertainties thanks to the use of electron multipliers. For all experiments were the accuracy was achieved, the calculated uncertainties were below to 0.28% for the 235 U/ 238 U isotope ratio and 5% for the 234 U/ 238 U isotope ratio.

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“…In the nuclear forensic context, isotopic composition [1,2,4,[68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77] is of primary concern, in addition to the determination of physical parameters (including roughness, microstructure, geometry) [2][3][4][78][79][80], chemical structure (e.g., mineralogical structure, metallurgical information, oxidation states) [81][82][83], impurity and analyte content [2,3,77,78,[84][85][86][87], geolocation signatures (e.g., host rock, climate) [3,[88][89][90][91], or age since last chemical treatment [3,90,[92][93][94][95][96]. Isotope ratio analysis can be particularly useful in revealing the origin and history of nuclear materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isotope ratio analysis of actinides, fission products, and geolocators by high-efficiency multi-collector thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Bürger

Riciputi

Bostick

et al. 2009

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

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Nuclear forensic investigations: Two case studies

Cited by 112 publications

References 7 publications

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

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

Development of an analysis method of minor uranium isotope ratio measurements using electron multipliers in Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Isotope ratio analysis of actinides, fission products, and geolocators by high-efficiency multi-collector thermal ionization mass spectrometry

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