김정은 (한국원자력연구원)

최정운 (한국원자력연구원)

김정은 (한국원자력연구원)

박난희 (한국원자력연구원)

최정운 (한국원자력연구원)

Multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) is used for the isotopic and quantitative analysis of ultra-trace nuclear materials in the environmental samples. The environmental sample may contain the ultra-trace nuclear material particle; therefore, the background of U and Pu can affect the analysis result of environmental samples in terms of its accuracy and precision. In this study, we evaluated the background value of U and Pu caused from the entire chemical treatment process of swipes used as an environmental sample. The isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and MC-ICP-MS were used to determine the ultra-trace U and Pu level in the process blank with uncertainty.

The U and Pu background values ​​were compared when all the experimental supplies (containers and tips, etc.) used in the experiment were washed or not washed. In conclusion, the washing process of all experimental supplies is essential to minimize the background value of U and Pu in the analysis. Since the background level of U and Pu also determine the detection limit of the ultra-trace NM analysis, the washing process shall be carried out carefully to improve the accuracy and precision of the analysis results.​