Development of a Field-Deployable Mass Spectrometry System for Nuclear Forensics Applications Using Liquid...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Nuclear Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• In-field actinide measurements are crucial for nuclear forensics, safeguards, and environmental monitoring.
• Traditional methods like ICP-MS have high operational overheads, limiting field applicability.
• Existing LS-APGD couplings often use complex, large mass spectrometers unsuitable for field use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) with the Advion ExpressionL compact mass spectrometer (CMS) for in-field actinide detection.
• To establish a portable and efficient system for measuring uranium and thorium in the field.
• To report the first optimization of a dual-electrode LS-APGD on a CMS and the first analysis of thorium using LS-APGD.

Main Methods:

• Optimized LS-APGD discharge conditions using a design of experiments approach.
• Performed full factorial studies to optimize compact mass spectrometer parameters.
• Developed a modified ion sampling geometry for enhanced performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved limits of detection of 0.2 ng for both uranium and thorium.
• Demonstrated successful coupling of LS-APGD with the Advion ExpressionL CMS.
• Established independent optimization of the LS-APGD and CMS operations.

Conclusions:

• The optimized LS-APGD-CMS system provides a viable solution for in-field actinide measurements.
• The system meets or exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's requirements for drinking water analysis.
• This work enables more accessible and efficient monitoring of actinides in various environmental and security applications.