Isotope ratio analysis of individual particles containing nuclear materials in safeguards environmental samples

Esaka, Fumitaka  

Isotope ratio measurement for individual particles containing uranium in swipe samples taken at nuclear facilities is a powerful tool to verify the absence of undeclared nuclear activities. In order to develop the analysis technique, we have investigated a series of methods: particle recovery from the swipe sample, particle screening and isotope ratio analysis for individual particles. As the result, the 235U/238U ratio was determined with the relative standard deviation within 2.0 % for the particle with a diameter of 1 um.