Improving precision in resonance ionization mass spectrometry: influence of laser bandwidth in uranium isotope ratio measurements

Anal Chem. 2011 Apr 1;83(7):2469-75. doi: 10.1021/ac102586v. Epub 2011 Mar 16.

Abstract

The use of broad bandwidth lasers with automated feedback control of wavelength was applied to the measurement of (235)U/(238)U ratios by resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) to decrease laser-induced isotopic fractionation. By broadening the bandwidth of the first laser in a three-color, three-photon ionization process from a bandwidth of 1.8 GHz to about 10 GHz, the variation in sequential relative isotope abundance measurements decreased from 10% to less than 0.5%. This procedure was demonstrated for the direct interrogation of uranium oxide targets with essentially no sample preparation.