Alpha spectrometry applications with mass separated samples

• High resolution alpha samples created using a commercial ICP-MS.
• Mass-based isolation of a plutonium isotope (238Pu) from a mixed plutonium standard.
• Fit technique with alpha spectroscopy quantifies the enhancement of 238Pu signature.

241Am has been deposited using a novel technique that employs a commercial inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. This work presents results of high-resolution alpha spectrometry on the 241Am samples using a small area passivated implanted planar silicon detector. We have also investigated the mass-based separation capability by developing a 238Pu sample, present as a minor constituent in a 244Pu standard, and performed subsequent radiometric counting. With this new sample development method, the 241Am samples achieved the intrinsic energy resolution of the detector used for these measurements. There was no detectable trace of any other isotopes contained in the 238Pu implant demonstrating the mass-based separation (or enhancement) attainable with this technique.