Improved Analytical Characterization of Solid Waste-Forms by Fundamental Development of Laser Ablation Technology.

[摘要] Laser ablation (LA) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been demonstrated as a viable technology for sample characterization within the EM complex. Laser ablation systems have been set up at the Hanford Site, Savannah River Plant, the Pu immobilization program (MD), Los Alamos, and at numerous other DOE facilities. Characterization of elemental and isotopic chemical constituents is an important function in support of tank-waste operation and remediation functions. Proper waste characterization enables safe operation of the tank farms, resolution of tank safety questions, and development of processes and equipment for retrieval, pretreatment, and immobilization of tank waste. All of these operations are dependent on the chemical analysis of tank waste (1). A specified need by the Tanks Focus Area (TFA) is to validate the laser ablation mass spectrometer (LA/MS) technology through round robin testing of standard materials and through fundamental studies of the laser ablation process (2). Advancement of the laser ablation technology is warranted to guarantee accuracy of analysis for the diversity of complex EM samples. This EMSP research endeavored to understand fundamental laser-ablation and ICP-MS detection characteristics, to ensure accurate and sensitive analytical characterization for EM wastesite samples.

[发布机构] Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

[学科分类] 工程和技术（综合）

[关键词] Lasers;Ablation;Radioactive wastes;Characterization;Mass spectroscopy