A gamma-spectrometric method for the determination of plutonium isotope ratios

A gamma-spectrometric method using an intrinsic high resolution germanium detector has been developed for the determination of isotope ratios of plutonium from samples in solution form. The method is based on the assay of low energy gamma-rays of238Pu,239Pu,240Pu and241Pu and does not require the use of branching intensities or the knowledge of detection efficiencies for different gamma rays. Since low energy gamma-rays are used, the effect of241Am has also been studied. It is found that results are not affected up to 0.5 wt% of241Am in plutonium samples. An accuracy of 3% is achievable in the determination of240Pu/239Pu and241Pu/239Pu atom ratios as demonstrated by carrying out measurements on isotopic standards of plutonium.