Sensors & Electronics
Chemical Sensors
Portable Uranium Assay Instrument (10)
Portable Instrument for In-Field Uranium Isotope Assays (LALIF)
Problem: Nonproliferation monitoring required a method to detect trace quantities of enriched uranium in field samples
Project Activity Scope (from Technical Overview Chart): Mechanisms through Instruments
PNNL Solution:
- Developed laser ablation system to vaporize small amount of sample
- Employed laser-induced resonance fluorescence to measure 235U/238U isotope ratio in the ablation plume
- Demonstrated integrated, portable instrument that determines uranium enrichment in field samples
Capabilities Employed to Meet Client Needs: Optical spectroscopy for chemical analysis; laser-induced fluorescence detection of isotopes; laser ablation methods; diode laser technology; atomic absorption wavelength locking; compact optical system design; electronic circuit design; ruggedized packaging design; computer instrument control and data acquisition system; custom software development.
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Contact: Norm Anheier
