6533b7dafe1ef96bd126f461

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Trace Analysis of Plutonium and Technetium by Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry Using an Atomic Beam and a Laser Ion Source

Ernst W. OttenH. RimkeH.-j. KlugeGünter HerrmannP. SattelbergerF. AmesA. VenugopalanB. M. SuriN. TrauttmannJ. RiegelR. Kirchner

subject

inorganic chemicalsStatic secondary-ion mass spectrometryMaterials scienceRadiochemistryAnalytical chemistryThermal ionizationchemistry.chemical_elementThermal ionization mass spectrometryMass spectrometryIon sourceAtmospheric-pressure laser ionizationPlutoniumchemistryDirect electron ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry interface

description

A method for low level detection of plutonium and technetium is described with a detection limit of less than 107 atoms. Plutonium is a very toxic element due to its radioactive decay as well as its chemical behaviour. It was released to the environment in large amounts during the fifties and sixties of his century, principally by nuclear-weapon tests and some accidents. As a result about 0.4 − 4 mBq per gram 239Pu(T1/2 = 24390 y), corresponding to 4 × 108 − 4 × 109 atoms, can be found in the Northern Hemisphere in soil samples.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
1990-01-01
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5895-4_17