Issue 7, 2016

High resolution isotopic analysis of U-bearing particles via fusion of SIMS and EDS images

Abstract

Image fusion of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) images and X-ray elemental maps from energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to facilitate the isolation and re-analysis of isotopically unique U-bearing particles where the highest precision SIMS measurements are required. Image registration, image fusion and particle micromanipulation were performed on a subset of SIMS images obtained from a large area pre-screen of a particle distribution from a sample containing a mixture of several certified reference materials (CRM) U129A, U015, U150, U500 and U850, as well as a standard reference material (SRM) 8704 (Buffalo River Sediment) to simulate particles collected on swipes during routine inspections of declared uranium enrichment facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In total, fourteen particles, ranging in size from 5–15 μm, were isolated and re-analyzed by SIMS in multi-collector mode identifying nine particles of CRM U129A, one of U150, one of U500 and three of U850. These identifications were made based on the measured isotopic composition which was accurate to a few percent of the certified value and which proved to be consistent with the respective National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certified atom percent values for 234U, 235U, 236U and 238U for the corresponding CRMs. This work represents the first use of image fusion for nuclear safeguards application, resulting in improved accuracy and precision of isotope ratio measurements for U-bearing particles. Implementation of image fusion is essential for the identification of particles of interest that fall below the spatial resolution of the SIMS images.

Graphical abstract: High resolution isotopic analysis of U-bearing particles via fusion of SIMS and EDS images

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Apr 2016
Accepted
19 May 2016
First published
27 May 2016

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2016,31, 1472-1479

High resolution isotopic analysis of U-bearing particles via fusion of SIMS and EDS images

J. G. Tarolli, B. E. Naes, B. J. Garcia, A. E. Fischer and D. Willingham, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2016, 31, 1472 DOI: 10.1039/C6JA00149A

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