Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025

In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
Published on: February 3, 2018
Determination of Mass Attenuation Coefficients of Th, U, Np, and Pu for Oxygen Kα X-Rays Using an Electron Microprobe
1European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Abstract:
Mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) of Th, U, Np, and Pu for oxygen X-rays have been experimentally determined using an electron microprobe. The MACs were obtained by measuring relative X-ray intensities emitted from ThO2, UO2, NpO2, and PuO2 targets, for incident electron energies from 5 to 30 keV, and processing them with the help of the computer program XMAC. The accuracy of the measured MACs is estimated to be better than 5%. Results are compared with MAC tabulations commonly used in electron probe microanalysis as well as with theoretical photoionization calculations. It is concluded that the MACs implemented in the Monte Carlo simulation program PENELOPE which are based on the photoionization cross-section calculations of Sabbatucci & Salvat [(2016). Theory and calculation of the atomic photoeffect. Rad Phys Chem121, 122-140], provide the best agreement with our measurements. The use of different MAC schemes for the analysis of mixed actinide oxide materials is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Mass
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
Nuclear Transmutation
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources
Two common narrow-range 'line' sources used in AAS are hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) and...

