AMS of natural 236U and 239Pu produced in uranium ores

✍ Scribed by K.M. Wilcken; T.T. Barrows; L.K. Fifield; S.G. Tims; P. Steier

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 156 KB
• Volume: 259
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0168-583X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2007.01.210

✦ Synopsis

The rare isotopes 236 U and 239 Pu are produced naturally by neutron capture in uranium ores. Here we measure 236 U and 239 Pu by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in the same ore samples for the first time. To ensure efficient extraction of both elements and isotopic equilibrium between the 239 Pu in the ore and a 242 Pu spike, we developed a new sample preparation protocol. AMS has clear advantages over previous methods because it achieves better discrimination against molecular interferences with higher sensitivity and shorter counting times. Measurements of 236 U and 239 Pu hold considerable promise as proxy indicators of neutron flux and uranium concentration.