Isotopic concentration of uranium from alpha spectrum of electrodeposited source on 4H-SiC detector at 500 °C

4H-SiC alpha detectors were fabricated with a 21-μm thick depletion depth and were packaged into a stainless-steel casing with a mineral insulation cable and a standard BNC connector. The packaged detectors had a resolution of 0.624% FWHM at 5.486 MeV prior to salt immersion. The detectors were then immersed in a LiCl–KCl–UCl 3 molten salt at 500 °C, from which a thin layer of depleted uranium was electrodeposited onto the detectors. Alpha particle emission spectra were collected from the electrodeposited source. The energy resolution of the surviving detector was 2.29% FWHM at 4.198 MeV and was sufficient to separate the 234 U from 238 U alpha emissions (577 keV difference). The 234 U/ 238 U activity ratio and the isotopic concentrations of 234 U and 238 U were determined and are representative of the uranium source used in the electrodeposition.