Resonant laser–SNMS for spatially resolved and element selective ultra-trace analysis of radionuclides
The newly developed resonant laser–SNMS system at the IRS Hannover combines the high spatial and decent mass resolution of a TOF-SIMS instrument with the element-selective process of resonant laser ionization. This setup was characterized by use of synthetic uranium, plutonium and technetium samples to prepare and demonstrate the performance for measurements on environmental samples. The laser–SNMS system will be applied for the detection, visualization and ultra-trace analysis of radionuclide containing nanoparticles in environmental samples with strongly reduced or even completely omitted chemical preparation. The necessary suppression of isobaric contamination was demonstrated as well as…
A new resonant Laser-SNMS system for environmental ultra-trace analysis: Installation and optimization
Abstract Localization, analysis and mobility of radioactive contaminated particles is of major concern for assessment of contamination threads and nuclear forensics. For this purpose, a new resonant Laser-SNMS system was developed and set up at the Institute for Radioecology and Radiation Protection for spatially resolved ultra-trace analysis of low concentrated radionuclides directly on environmental samples. This paper describes the adaption and combination of a dedicated Ti:sapphire laser system with a commercial TOF-SIMS instrument for resonant Laser-SNMS. The project includes computer simulations for optimization of the TOF analyzer. Results on synthetic uranium and technetium samples …