Ultra low-level measurements of actinides by sector field ICP-MS.
In the present work, a double-focusing sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer was optimised for ultra trace and isotopic analyses of actinide long-lived isotopes in low concentration solutions of the fgml(-1) to the ngml(-1) range. Sensitivities of about 3GHz/(microgml(-1)), with as low a background as 0.1cps, were obtained for U using a conventional concentric pneumatic nebuliser. Detection limits are below the fg range for 239Pu and 240Pu. With natural U, a precision lower than 0.5% RSD is currently obtained for 235U/238U isotopic ratio at the 200pgml(-1) level.
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, DAM-Ile de France/DASE/SRCE, P.O. Box 12, Bruyères-le-Châtel F-91680, France. fabien.pointurier@cea.fr
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Baglan
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D008671:Actinoid Series Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011005:Plutonium / Q000032:analysis*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*
D008671:Actinoid Series Elements; D014501:Uranium; D011005:Plutonium