Evaluating the Uncertainties Associated to Isotope Ratio Measurements Carried out by some Mass Spectrometry Techniques in Real Uranium Samples

An experimental programme was set up to evaluate the uncertainties associated with the measurements of the isotope ratio n(235U)/n(238U) by mass spectrometry techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS and MC-ICPMS), thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) and gas source mass spectrometry (GSMS). A group of samples with isotope ratios ranging from depleted (0.5 wt %) to low enriched uranium (3.5 wt %) were selected to enable the comparison of performances of these different techniques. Although all the three techniques provided very accurate results, the GSMS always produced results with the smallest expanded uncertainty. The stability of the ion-beam generated by the electron impact ion source employed in GSMS is regarded as one of the main reasons for this outstanding performance.

DE BOLLE Willy;  ALONSO MUNOZ Adolfo;  KUEHN Heinz;  PONZEVERA Emmanuel;  QUETEL Christophe;  RICHTER Stephan;  WELLUM Roger; 

PEREIRA DE OLIVEIRA JR. Olivio; 

2006-08-17

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

JRC34140

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC34140,