Mass and abundance 236U sensitivities at CIRCE

M. De Cesare*, N. De Cesare, A. D'Onofrio, L. K. Fifield, L. Gialanella, F. Terrasi

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The actinides (e.g. 236U and xPu isotopes) are present in environmental samples at the ultra trace level since atmospheric tests of NWs (Nuclear Weapons) performed in the past, deliberate dumping of nuclear waste, nuclear fuel reprocessing, on a large scale and operation of NPPs (Nuclear Power Plants) on a small scale have led to the release of a wide range of radioactive nuclides in the environment. Their detection requires the most sensitive AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) techniques and at the Center for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental heritage (CIRCE) in Caserta, Italy, an upgraded actinide AMS system, based on a 3-MV pelletron tandem accelerator, has been operated. In this paper the progress made in order to push the 236U mass sensitivity and 236U/238U isotopic ratio down to the natural levels is reported. A uranium contamination mass of about 0.05 μg and a 236U/238U isotopic ratio sensitivities at the level of 3.2 × 10-13 are presently achievable.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)483-487
    Number of pages5
    JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
    Volume361
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 15 Oct 2015

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