Results from a controlled depleted uranium metal casting experiment designed to investigate nuclear Forensic Radiochronometry Signatures

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 332; no. 6; pp. 1695 - 1706
• Main Authors: Kayzar-Boggs, Theresa M., Luitjohan, Kara E., Imhoff, Seth D., Edwards, Mark A., Krajewski, Kyle J., Denton, Joanna S., Engel, John R., Hudston, Lisa A., LaMont, Stephen P., Sanborn, Matthew E., Wende, Allison M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Age dating; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; Founding; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Investigations; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear forensics; Nuclear Physics; Nuclides; Physical Chemistry; Progeny; Protactinium; RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY; Radiochronometry; Raw materials; Spatial distribution; Thorium; Uranium; Uranium metal; Vacuum induction melting; Radiochronometry; Age dating; Protactinium; Nuclear forensics; Uranium metal; Thorium
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-023-08881-w

The accurate interpretation of uranium metal 230 Th/ 234 U and 231 Pa/ 235 U radiochronometry model ages requires an understanding of how uranium parent nuclides and decay progeny ( 230 Th and 231 Pa) behave during uranium metal casting. In order to directly measure the spatial distribution of 230 Th and 231 Pa in uranium metal before and after vacuum induction melting (VIM), Los Alamos National Laboratory identified uranium metal feedstock, characterized the metal feedstock, conducted a controlled casting experiment of an approximately 120 kg uranium metal rod, and characterized the cast metal. This study presents radiochronometry results and quantified 230 Th and 231 Pa VIM separation factors from bulk uranium.