Application of automated particle screening for effective analysis of individual uranium particles by thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Esaka, Fumitaka  ; Suzuki, Daisuke   ; Yomogida, Takumi   ; Magara, Masaaki  

The isotope ratio analysis of individual uranium particles in environmental samples taken at nuclear facilities is important to clarify their origins for nuclear safeguards. In the present study, automated particle screening was used to select uranium particles prior to precise isotope ratio analysis by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). As a result, molecular ion interferences on the uranium mass region were able to be almost completely avoided in the analysis of real inspection samples using APM-TIMS. Therefore, the performance of APM-TIMS was sufficient for obtaining isotope ratio data of individual particles without molecular ion interferences.