Detection of dideuterium in diprotium gas at infinitesimal concentration using a trace reduction detector

An analyzer able to detect extremely small concentrations of dideuterium in diprotium gas was developed. To examine its performance, four gas samples of pure diprotium with dideuterium concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 5 cm3/m3 were measured using the analyzer, and peak areas and retention times from 18 chromatograms were determined. Results indicated that the peaks were distributed within a relative standard deviation of approximately 15% and a linear correlation existed between peak area and concentration. Retention times were stable, showing a relative standard deviation of 1% with repeated tests and having no correlation with concentration of the four gas samples.