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Application of plutonium radiochronometry to the analysis of plutonium age dating reference materials

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Abstract

Radiochronometry is an important tool for nuclear forensic analysis. Plutonium has a wide array of parent/progeny pairs that can be measured to provide multiple model ages for interpretation. Various methods have been developed to provide data within specified timescales, to varied precision and accuracy requirements. In contrast to uranium, no radiochronometry reference standards currently exist for these measurements and we rely on traceability to activity and isotopic certified materials. A test reference material was provided for a blind laboratory analysis. We present analysis of this material by current techniques to increase confidence to the suitability of this methodology for certification.

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Acknowledgements

AWE are thanked for funding this work. EC-JRC is thanked for providing the samples and supporting review learn and improve activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AWE, AWE Aldermaston, RG7 4PR, Reading, UK

    Matthew A. Higginson, James A. Dunne, Chris R. D. Gilligan, Samuel T. J. Cross & Stuart Dunn

  2. European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Karlsruhe, Germany

    Zsolt Varga

Authors
  1. Matthew A. Higginson
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  2. James A. Dunne
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  3. Chris R. D. Gilligan
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  4. Samuel T. J. Cross
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Correspondence to Matthew A. Higginson.

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Higginson, M.A., Dunne, J.A., Gilligan, C.R.D. et al. Application of plutonium radiochronometry to the analysis of plutonium age dating reference materials. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 3591–3600 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08410-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08410-1

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