Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis

K. Alicia Strange Fessler; Patrick E. O'Rourke; Nicholas F. DeRoller; Darrell Simmons; Steven M. Serkiz

doi:10.1117/12.2559314

18 May 2020 Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis

K. Alicia Strange Fessler, Patrick E. O'Rourke, Nicholas F. DeRoller, Darrell Simmons, Steven M. Serkiz

Proceedings Volume 11416, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI; 114160R (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559314
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

A high performance infrared (HPIR) system was developed and demonstrated for the infrared absorption analysis of ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U isotopes in uranium hexafluoride gas samples. Sweeping the quantum cascade laser light source over the spectral range and sampling via a high-rate analog-to-digital converter provided 0.0005 cm^-1 spectral resolution, which allowed for high-precision measurements of the isotopic peak shift. A data analysis method was developed using principal component analysis to predict the isotope weight % content of 235U. The HPIR precision, accuracy, and error were evaluated for a wide range of isotopic ratio samples (0.287 – 93.7 weight % ²³⁵U), and the results were compared to the International Target Values (ITVS) set forth by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for non-destructive and destructive analytical techniques. The method meets or surpasses the IAEA ITVs for non-destructive analysis of samples with isotopic content of depleted to highly enriched. The results also demonstrated the capability of the HPIR system to correctly predict the ²³⁵U weight % content of a mislabeled sample whose isotopic distribution was validated by mass spectroscopic measurements. The HPIR measurement is nondestructive and, thus, allows for confirmatory analyses of the exact sample at a designated IAEA lab if higher-resolution or a certified analysis is needed.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

K. Alicia Strange Fessler, Patrick E. O'Rourke, Nicholas F. DeRoller, Darrell Simmons, and Steven M. Serkiz "Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis", Proc. SPIE 11416, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI, 114160R (18 May 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559314

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