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

Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis

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

Materials & Chemistry Group

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI
Editors	Jason A. Guicheteau, Chris R. Howle
Publisher	SPIE
ISBN (Electronic)	9781510636095
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559314
State	Published - 2020
Event	Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI 2020 - Virtual, Online, United States Duration: Apr 27 2020 → May 8 2020

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	11416
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)	1996-756X

Conference

Conference	Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI 2020
Country/Territory	United States
City	Virtual, Online
Period	04/27/20 → 05/8/20

Funding

This work was prepared under an agreement with and funded by the U.S. Government. Neither the U. S. Government or its employees, nor any of its contractors, subcontractors or their employees, makes any express or implied: 1) warranty or assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or for the use or results of such use of any information, product, or process disclosed; or 2) representation that such use or results of such use would not infringe privately owned rights; or 3) endorsement or recommendation of any specifically identified commercial product, process, or service. Any views and opinions of authors expressed in this work do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, or its contractors, or subcontractors. This document was prepared in conjunction with work accomplished under Contract No. DE-AC09-09SR22505 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NA).

Keywords

HPIR
Isotope analysis
QCL
Quantum cascade laser
UF6
Uranium hexafluoride
Uranium isotopes

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10.1117/12.2559314

Cite this

Alicia Strange Fessler, K., O'Rourke, P. E., Deroller, N. F., Simmons, D., & Serkiz, S. M. (2020). Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis. In J. A. Guicheteau, & C. R. Howle (Eds.), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI Article 114160R (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 11416). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559314

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title = "Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis",

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.",

keywords = "HPIR, Isotope analysis, QCL, Quantum cascade laser, UF6, Uranium hexafluoride, Uranium isotopes",

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Alicia Strange Fessler, K, O'Rourke, PE, Deroller, NF, Simmons, D & Serkiz, SM 2020, Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis. in JA Guicheteau & CR Howle (eds), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI., 114160R, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, vol. 11416, SPIE, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI 2020, Virtual, Online, United States, 04/27/20. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559314

Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis. / Alicia Strange Fessler, K.; O'Rourke, Patrick E.; Deroller, Nicholas F. et al.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI. ed. / Jason A. Guicheteau; Chris R. Howle. SPIE, 2020. 114160R (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 11416).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis

AU - Alicia Strange Fessler, K.

AU - O'Rourke, Patrick E.

AU - Deroller, Nicholas F.

AU - Simmons, Darrell

AU - Serkiz, Steven M.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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KW - Isotope analysis

KW - QCL

KW - Quantum cascade laser

KW - UF6

KW - Uranium hexafluoride

KW - Uranium isotopes

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Alicia Strange Fessler K, O'Rourke PE, Deroller NF, Simmons D, Serkiz SM. Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis. In Guicheteau JA, Howle CR, editors, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXI. SPIE. 2020. 114160R. (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering). doi: 10.1117/12.2559314

Infrared spectroscopic method for uranium isotopic analysis

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