Uranium corrosion characterization by handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A commercial-off-the-shelf handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system was modified, calibrated and tested for discrimination between uranium oxide and uranium hydride when assessing uranium corrosion products. Operating parameters, system modifications, and onboard data analysis were developed to accomplish the analytical task. This work represents the first laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of bulk uranium hydride, a pyrophoric material, within an inert glovebox. Finally, the work shown here illustrates a rapid identification technique for uranium corrosion types from pure UO2 or U3O8 to pure UH3.

Automated summary

The study modified, calibrated and tested a commercial-off-the-shelf handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system for discriminating between uranium oxide and uranium hydride in assessing uranium corrosion products. The work developed operating parameters, system modifications, and onboard data analysis to achieve rapid identification of uranium corrosion types. This study also represents the first laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of bulk uranium hydride within an inert glovebox.