Assessing the microscale heterogeneity in Standard Reference Material 4600 Surrogate Post-detonation Urban Debris

Nondestructive microbeam X-ray fluorescence (mu XRF) spectrometry has been used to investigate the elemental microheterogeneity in a nuclear forensics reference material (RM), NIST SRM 4600 Surrogate Post-detonation Urban Debris. Using a principal component analysis (PCA) model, results indicate the majority of elements appear homogeneous; however, zinc (Zn) exhibits microscale heterogeneity for this SRM. To minimize contributions to the measurement uncertainty from elemental microheterogeneity, a minimum sample mass of 24 mg is recommended for analysis.

Automated summary

Nondestructive microbeam X-ray fluorescence (mu XRF) spectrometry was used to investigate elemental microheterogeneity in a nuclear forensics reference material, showing most elements are homogeneous except for zinc. To minimize measurement uncertainty from elemental microheterogeneity, a minimum sample mass of 24 mg is recommended for analysis.