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Title Use of electrodeposition for sample preparation and rejection rate prediction for assay of electroformed ultra high purity copper for $^{232}$Th and $^{238}$U prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Author(s) Hoppe, E W (PNL, Richland) ; Aalseth, C E (PNL, Richland) ; Brodzinski, R (PNL, Richland) ; Day, A R (PNL, Richland) ; Farmer, O T (PNL, Richland) ; Hossbach, T W (PNL, Richland) ; McIntyre, J I (PNL, Richland) ; Miley, H S (PNL, Richland) ; Mintzer, E E (PNL, Richland) ; Seifert, A (PNL, Richland) ; Smart, J E (PNL, Richland) ; Warren, G A (PNL, Richland)
Publication 2008
Number of pages 8
In: J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 277 (2008) 103-110
DOI 10.1007/s10967-008-0716-5
Subject category Particle Physics - Experiment
Abstract The search for neutrinoless double beta decay in $^{76}$Ge has driven the need for ultra-low background Ge detectors shielded by electroformed copper of ultra-high radiopurity (<0.1 μBq/kg). Although electrodeposition processes are almost sophisticated enough to produce copper of this purity, to date there are no methods sensitive enough to assay it. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) can detect thorium and uranium at femtogram levels, however, this assay is hindered by high copper concentrations in the sample. Electrodeposition of copper samples removes copper from the solution while selectively concentrating thorium and uranium contaminants to be assayed by ICP/MS. Spiking $^{232}$Th and $^{238}$U into the plating bath simulates low purity copper and allows for the calculation of the electrochemical rejection rate of thorium and uranium in the electroplating system. This rejection value will help to model plating bath chemistry.
Copyright/License © 2008 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

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