Determination of Single Uranium Particle Isotope Ratio by SEM-ICP-MS

A new method was developed for the determination of single uranium particle isotope ratio by using multi-collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) combined with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The single uranium particle was searched and located by SEM and identified by EDX, then transferred by micromanipulator. The isotope ratio was measured by MC-ICP-MS after chemical dissolution. CRM U850, U350 and U005-A uranium particles with different diameter were analyzed. The particles with different enrichment have different morphology. The isotope ratio results consist with the certified values and s_r is within 3.3%, 2.2% and 4.6% separately.