title: Improving precision in resonance ionization mass spectrometry: influence of laser bandwidth in uranium isotope ratio measurements.
abstract: The use of broad bandwidth lasers with automated feedback control of wavelength was applied to the measurement of (235)U/(238)U ratios by resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) to decrease laser-induced isotopic fractionation. By broadening the bandwidth of the first laser in a three-color, three-photon ionization process from a bandwidth of 1.8 GHz to about 10 GHz, the variation in sequential relative isotope abundance measurements decreased from 10% to less than 0.5%. This procedure was demonstrated for the direct interrogation of uranium oxide targets with essentially no sample preparation.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Engineering Department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA. isselhardt@berkeley.edu
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Isselhardt
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Savina
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pellin
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Hutcheon
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Prussin