The age of plutonium particles

Age determination of plutonium particles is a highly important task in view of the pending cut-off treaty for nuclear weapons materials. By collecting particles from the vicinity or inside the nuclear facilities and determining their ages, it is possible to monitor the observance of the cut-off agreement. In this study, the age determination of Pu particles was demonstrated by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). To determine the ionisation efficiency difference of Pu and U, standard Pu materials with known ages were analysed. Finally, the age determination of two real Pu samples was demonstrated.