Cell design for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements on reactive gas samples
Abstract
Uranium hexafluoride (UF6) is the primary material used for the enrichment of uranium in the production of light water nuclear reactor fuels worldwide. Accurate, rapid quantification of uranium isotopic composition in nuclear materials is required for safeguards programs and nonproliferation purposes. One potential technique for isotopic measurements in uranium species in the field is laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Safe and effective application of LIBS to UF6 for enrichment measurements is uniquely challenging due to the chemical and physical properties of UF6, which necessitate specific handling procedures. The objective of this work is to design a cell for isotopic analysis of UF6 that is (1) compatible with chemical and physical properties of UF6, (2) compatible with LIBS laser, and (3) portable-sized for nuclear safeguards applications. Along with cell design, initial testing of the cell for basic performance and chemical compatibility is performed. As designed and constructed, the portable gas cell was gas-tight, chemically compatible with UF6, and withstood long-duration laser exposure. The cell has proven capability for handling reactive gasses, such as UF6, with specification application to isotopic analysis.