TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of k0-NAA for the determination of the n(235U)/n(238U) isotopic ratio in samples containing uranium
AU - Farina, Fulvio
AU - Vermaercke, Peter
AU - Sneyers, Liesel
AU - Soares Leal, Alexander
AU - Goncalves Boucas, Janaina
A2 - Verheyen, Leen
N1 - Score = 10
PY - 2010/10/11
Y1 - 2010/10/11
N2 - In the analysis of rare earth elements in samples containing uranium by k0-neutron activation analysis fission of 235U was considere an undesired phenomenon until the fission k0-factors were introduced to account for natural-U fission interferences. In this work, by using a reverse perspective of the problem, the observed 235U-fission and 238U activation products (along with the k0-factors) were used to obtain information about the uranium isotopic ratio in samples. The relevant formulae and data-filtering algortihm were implemented in a home-made computer software, allowing automated evaluation and selection of unbiased data. Two radioisotopes (131I and 140La) were demonstrated to be reliable candidates for n(235U)/n(238U) determination in enviromental samples. The accuracy of this method was determined using several isotopic standards varying from a depleted to a highly enriched 235U content. And overal 2.31 % overestimation of the isotopic ratio was observed (within 95% confidence level).
AB - In the analysis of rare earth elements in samples containing uranium by k0-neutron activation analysis fission of 235U was considere an undesired phenomenon until the fission k0-factors were introduced to account for natural-U fission interferences. In this work, by using a reverse perspective of the problem, the observed 235U-fission and 238U activation products (along with the k0-factors) were used to obtain information about the uranium isotopic ratio in samples. The relevant formulae and data-filtering algortihm were implemented in a home-made computer software, allowing automated evaluation and selection of unbiased data. Two radioisotopes (131I and 140La) were demonstrated to be reliable candidates for n(235U)/n(238U) determination in enviromental samples. The accuracy of this method was determined using several isotopic standards varying from a depleted to a highly enriched 235U content. And overal 2.31 % overestimation of the isotopic ratio was observed (within 95% confidence level).
KW - Uranium
KW - Neutron Activation Analysis
UR - http://ecm.sckcen.be/OTCS/llisapi.dll/open/ezp_108021
UR - http://knowledgecentre.sckcen.be/so2/bibref/7660
U2 - 10.1016/j.nima.2009.12.069
DO - 10.1016/j.nima.2009.12.069
M3 - Article
SN - 0168-9002
VL - 622
SP - 443
EP - 448
JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
IS - 2
T2 - 5th Internation k0 workshop
Y2 - 12 September 2009 through 19 September 2009
ER -