Particle Analysis of Uranium Bearing Materials Using Ultra High-resolution Isotope Microscope System

Nuclear materials such as uranium are used as fuel for nuclear power generation, but there is a high possibility that they will be used for non-peaceful purposes, so international inspections and regulations are being conducted. Isotope analysis data of fine particulate obtained from nuclear facilities can provide important information on the origin and concentration method of nuclear material, so it is widely used in the field of nuclear safety and nuclear forensics. In this study we describe the analytical method that can directly identify nuclear particles and measure their isotopic ratios for fine samples using a large-geometry secondary ion mass spectrometer and introduce its preliminary results. Using the U-200 standard material, the location of fine particles was identified and the results consistent with the standard value were obtained through microbeam analysis.