Improved instrument for analysis of nuclear materials with heterogeneous isotopic composition

“One of the gravest threats the United States and the international community face is the possibility that terrorists or rogue nations will acquire nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.” (http://nnsa.energy.gov/aboutus/ourprograms/nonproliferation-0). Safeguards provide assurances to the international community that nuclear materials and facilities are not being used for the illicit manufacture of nuclear weapons. To deter the proliferation of nuclear weapons, advanced technologies for rapid analysis of elemental and isotopic signatures are needed to detect the misuse of nuclear materials. How this problem is being addressed This project will leverage and advance NNSA technology developed at the DOE National Laboratories for advanced rapid elemental and isotopic analysis using laser ablation sampling with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). By coupling Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectroscopy (LAMIS) with ICP-MS analysis, improved precision, reduced influence of isobaric interferences, and additional lighter elements and isotopic signatures can be rapidly measured in one instrument platform. What will be done A viable approach to expand ICP-MS analytical capability is to utilize additional simultaneous technologies to complement such measurements. The proposed research will address: signal correlation from LIBS/LAMIS with LA-ICP-MS to improve measurement precision; expand light-element/isotope coverage; offer wider dynamic range of analysis through data fusion; development of an automated warning indicator for ICP-MS isobaric interference; and fabrication of a prototype commercial instrument for rapid elemental and isotopic analysis of heterogeneous materials. Phase I will establish proof of concept for improving precision, eliminating interferences and for additional elemental/isotopic signatures related to Safeguards. Phase II will develop a commercial instrument for testing at PNNL. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits The proposed capability and instrument will benefit the international Safeguards community with a powerful tool for measuring every element and isotope in samples without sample preparation. Rapid analytical measurements of nuclear materials are critical for NWAL and IAEA needs. Our approach of an integrated instrument for measuring every element on the periodic chart has significant potential for many other commercial applications, including biological imaging, geochemical age dating, and Advanced Manufacturing in industry. Key Words: Nuclear Safeguards; Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy; Laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry; Rapid Precise Isotopic Analysis