The production of Neptunium-236g

Jerome, S.M.; Ivanov, P.; Larijani, C.; Parker, D.J.; Regan, Paddy

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.02.029

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Even though 237 Np is well detectable above blank level at VERA as shown in section "Multi-Actinide Results From the Pacific Ocean, " and tailing from 238 U does not interfere in the AMS measurement (m237/m238 < 1.8 × 10 −13 measured on Vienna-KkU), a reliable quantitative analysis of 237 Np concentrations requires a isotopic spike material which is sufficiently pure regarding 237 Np (Jerome et al, 2014) or other by-products of the irradiation such as 236 Pu (Efurd et al, 1991). The most promising spike candidate currently under development in a joint project with the University of Tsukuba (Japan) is 236 Np produced via the bombardment of 232 Th with 7 Li in the 30-40 MeV range at the RIKEN Nishina Center.…”

Section: Status Of the Isotopic Spike For Quantitative 237 Np Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Capabilities for Anthropogenic Radionuclide Analysis to Extend the Set of Oceanographic Tracers

et al. 2022

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Recent major advances in Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) at the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA) regarding detection efficiency and isobar suppression have opened possibilities for the analysis of additional long-lived radionuclides at ultra-low environmental concentrations. These radionuclides, including 233U, 135Cs, 99Tc, and 90Sr, will become important for oceanographic tracer application due to their generally conservative behavior in ocean water. In particular, the isotope ratios 233U/236U and 137Cs/135Cs have proven to be powerful fingerprints for emission source identification as they are not affected by elemental fractionation. Improved detection efficiencies allowed us to analyze all major long-lived actinides, i.e., 236U, 237Np, 239,240Pu, 241Am as well as the very rare 233U, in the same 10 L water samples of a depth profile from the northwest Pacific Ocean. For this purpose, a simplified and very flexible chemical purification procedure based on extraction chromatography (a single UTEVA® column) was implemented which can be extended by a DGA® column for Am purification. The procedure was validated with the reference materials IAEA-381/385. With the additional increase in ionization efficiency expected for the extraction of actinides as fluoride molecules from the AMS ion source, a further reduction of chemical processing may become possible. This method was successfully applied to an exemplary set of air filter samples. In order to determine the quantitative 237Np concentration reliably, a 236Np spike material is being developed in collaboration with the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Ion-Laser Interaction Mass Spectrometry (ILIAMS), a novel technique for the efficient suppression of stable isobaric background, has been developed at VERA and provides unprecedented detection sensitivity for the fission fragments 135Cs, 99Tc, and 90Sr. The corresponding setup is fully operational now and the isobar suppression factors of >105 achieved, in principle, allow for the detection of the mentioned radionuclides in the environment. Especially for 90Sr analysis, this new approach has already been validated for selected reference materials (e.g., IAEA-A-12) and is ready for application in oceanographic studies. We estimate that a sample volume of only (1–3) L ocean water is sufficient for 90Sr as well as for 135Cs analysis, respectively.

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Section: Status Of the Isotopic Spike For Quantitative 237 Np Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Capabilities for Anthropogenic Radionuclide Analysis to Extend the Set of Oceanographic Tracers

et al. 2022

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“…274,280 Neptunium-236 (154 000 year half-life) is potentially suitable, 269,274 but suffers from a lack of commercial availability and production difficulties. 280,281 Alternative isotopes of neptunium ( 239 Np and 235 Np) are less well suited given their short half-lives (2.35 days and 396 days, respectively) and suffer from potential isobaric interferences from 239 Pu and 235 U, respectively. 63 Plutonium-242 (half-life 3.75 Â 10 5 years) has been used as a tracer for determination of both 237 Np and Pu isotopes, 276 given its similar chemical behavior and commercial availability.…”

Section: Neptunium-237mentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma source mass spectrometry for radioactive waste characterisation in support of nuclear decommissioning: a review

Croudace

Russell

Warwick

2017

J. Anal. At. Spectrom.

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“…Neptunium-236 is a potential candidate as a neptunium yield tracer, as its 1.55 × 10 5 -year radioactive half-life allows it to be used for both radiometric and mass spectrometric measurements. Neptunium-236 synthesis is under investigation using such techniques as bombardment of natural uranium with protons (Jerome et al 2014;Larijani et al 2015). Any of the synthesis techniques under development will require enrichment of the product before it can be used.…”

Section: Actinide Enrichment Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Summary of Actinide Enrichment Technologies and Capability Gaps

Patton¹,

Robinson²

2017

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The production of Neptunium-236g

Cited by 8 publications

References 31 publications

Developing Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Capabilities for Anthropogenic Radionuclide Analysis to Extend the Set of Oceanographic Tracers

Developing Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Capabilities for Anthropogenic Radionuclide Analysis to Extend the Set of Oceanographic Tracers

Plasma source mass spectrometry for radioactive waste characterisation in support of nuclear decommissioning: a review

A Summary of Actinide Enrichment Technologies and Capability Gaps

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