Distribution and enrichment of 235U within nuclear fuels are essential to material performance and reactor safety. With the development of metallic U fuels, understanding 235U homogeneity has become increasingly important, however, it is difficult to map with high spatial, and mass resolution to analyze both matrix and secondary phase precipitates. Here, we analyze 235U enrichment in matrix and carbide phases in LEU-Mo via two chemical imaging modalities: nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) and atom probe tomography (APT). NanoSIMS and APT provided consistent results, with no statistically significant difference between measured and nominal enrichment (19.75 % 235U).
Revised: January 26, 2021 |
Published: January 7, 2021
Citation
Kautz E.J., J.B. Cliff, T.G. Lach, D.D. Reilly, and A. Devaraj. 2021.Correlating Nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Uranium Enrichment in Metallic Nuclear Fuel.Analyst 146, no. 1:69-74.PNNL-SA-155746.doi:10.1039/D0AN01831G