Improved method of fission track sample preparation for detecting particles containing fissile materials in safeguards environmental samples

Lee, C. G.; Iguchi, Kazunari; Esaka, Fumitaka  ; Magara, Masaaki  ; Sakurai, Satoshi ; Watanabe, Kazuo; Usuda, Shigekazu

We have developed an effective method for fission track (FT) sample preparation to perform particle analysis of the safeguards environmental samples by the FT-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) method. In this method, a fission track detector and the layer containing particles are separated. The main feature of the developed FT sample is that the detection of a particle from the corresponding fission track can be performed correctly and in a simple manner by fixing each one end of the detector and the particle layer and by using an etching tool. It is expected that this method will enhance the effectiveness of particle analysis.