Uranium resonance ionization mass spectrometry in natural U-silicate

A natural uranium silicate mineral, cuprosklodowskite, has been analyzed by Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS) for uranium isotope composition under a variety of experimental conditions. While no significant isobaric interferences are observed in the mass regions of interest, molecular supression is incomplete, and varies with the method of neutral U atom production. Despite low measured useful yields under the present analytical arrangement, it is possible to measure uranium isotope composition directly from the sample surface with only a minimum of sample preparation. U-RIMS is a method deserving further development for analyses of environmental materials. (orig.)