Uranium corrosion characterization by handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Highlights: • Handheld LIBS for direct analysis of bulk uranium hydride and uranium oxide • Characterization of uranium oxide and hydride under inert glovebox conditions • Novel analytical method for determining uranium corrosion spot composition 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.