Electrolytic preparation of actinide filaments for laser resonance ionization spectroscopy

Abstract For the determination of trace amounts of actinide elements by resonance ionization mass spectroscopy, atomic beams of these elements are produced by evaporation from rhenium substrates. The actinides are deposited by electrolysis as hydroxides in a 2 mm spot on a rhenium foil and covered electrolytically with a thin layer of rhenium or platinum. During heating of such a sandwich reduction occurs to the metallic state while diffusing through the overplated layers and the actinides are evaporated as atoms from the surface. With lead-doped platinum, efficient release is observed already at 1700°C in contrast to rhenium where 2100°C is required and a higher background is produced.