Analysis of nuclear material by using Microwave-Enhanced Laser-Induced Plasma Spectroscopy (MELIPS)

Khumaeni, A.; Tampo, Motonobu; Akaoka, Katsuaki ; Miyabe, Masabumi   ; Wakaida, Ikuo  

A novel method for the analysis of nuclear elements such as uranium and plutonium in the next generation nuclear fuel cycle system was developed by utilizing microwave enhanced laser induced plasma spectroscopy (MELIPS). In this study, a Nd YAG laser was focused on a material target by using plano convex lens with a 200 mm focal length to induce a micro plasma. The plasma contains ablated material due to the ablation of the sample. The pulsed microwave generated by a magnetron through the antenna in the mesh chamber was then supplied to the micro plasma to enhance the plasma emission. The sample used in the study was gadolinium oxide pellet as a simulated fuel pellet. The result certified that the plasma lifetime was extent several hundreds of microsecond when the pulsed microwave was applied. The emission spectrum of Gd using standard LIPS (without microwave) was compared with MELIPS method. The spectrum of Gd was drastically enhanced by using MELIPS.