January 1, 2021
Journal Article

Spectral Dynamics and Gas-phase Oxidation of Laser-produced Plutonium Plasmas

Abstract

We report results and analysis from a series of laser ablation experiments conducted to study high-temperature plutonium (Pu) spectroscopy and gas-phase oxidation. Time-resolved emission spectra were compared to a Pu I spectral model to infer plasma temperature. At later times in the laser-produced plasma evolution, temperatures are lower, and resonant emission bands indicative of molecular species are observed. We tentatively assign these bands to plutonium oxides (PuxOy).

Revised: February 4, 2021 | Published: January 1, 2021

Citation

Harilal S.S., C.M. Murzyn, E.J. Kautz, M.K. Edwards, S.I. Sinkov, S.E. Bisson, and J.B. Martin. 2021. Spectral Dynamics and Gas-phase Oxidation of Laser-produced Plutonium Plasmas. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 36, no. 1:150-156. PNNL-SA-154924. doi:10.1039/D0JA00416B