Abstract
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).
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 443-448 |
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Journal | Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment |
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Volume | 622 |
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Issue number | 2 |
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DOIs | |
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Publication status | Published - 11 Oct 2010 |
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Event | 5th Internation k0 workshop - Belo Horizonte, Brazil Duration: 12 Sep 2009 → 19 Sep 2009 |
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