Stable neodymium isotopic composition of nuclear debris samples.

Fission reactions result in Nd isotope decay products which alter Nd isotopic compositions measured in nuclear debris. Trinitite samples measured by MC-ICP-MS show perturbations of Nd isotopes relative to 142Nd, the only isotope of Nd which is blocked from fission product decay. By measuring 144Nd/142Nd and the total number of atoms of 142Nd in the sample, it is possible to quantify the total number of fissions in nuclear debris, an important signature in post-detonation nuclear forensics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]