Nuclear Engineering Commons^™

Improved Sample Utilization In Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry Isotope Ratio Measurements: Refined Development Of Porous Ion Emitters For Nuclear Forensic Applications, Matthew Louis Baruzzini

Doctoral Dissertations

The precise and accurate determination of isotopic composition in nuclear forensic samples is vital for assessing origin, intended use and process history. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is widely accepted as the gold standard for high performance isotopic measurements and has long served as the workhorse in the isotopic ratio determination of nuclear materials. Nuclear forensic and safeguard specialists have relied heavily on such methods for both routine and atypical efforts. Despite widespread use, TIMS methods for the assay of actinide systems continue to be hindered by poor ionization efficiency, often less than tenths of a percent; the majority of …