Production, separation and target preparation of 171Tm and 147Pm for neutron cross section measurements
-
Stephan Heinitz
,
Emilio A. Maugeri
Abstract
The knowledge of the neutron capture cross sections of s-process branching point isotopes represents a basic requirement for the understanding of star evolution. Since such branching point isotopes are by definition radioactive, the measurement of their cross sections from thermal to stellar energies becomes a challenging task. Considerable amounts of material have to be produced, representing a significant radioactive hazard. We report here on the production and separation of 3.5 mg 171Tm from 240 mg 170Er2O3 and 72 μg 147Pm from 100 mg 146Nd2O3 irradiated at the ILL high flux reactor. Thin targets were prepared with high chemical and radioisotopic purity suitable for neutron capture measurements at n_TOF CERN and the SARAF-LiLiT facility.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to A. Vögele in performing neutron activation of various lanthanide samples during this work. Advices and help of E. Schaub and H. Dorrer during planning and construction of the separation setup are highly appreciated. This measurement has received funding from the EC FP7 Program under the projects NEUTANDALUS (Grant No. 334315) and CHANDA (Grant No. 605203).
References
1. Burbidge, E. M., Burbidge, G. R., Fowler, W. A., Hoyle, F.: Synthesis of the elements in stars. Rev. Mod. Phys. 29(4), 547 (1957).10.1103/RevModPhys.29.547Search in Google Scholar
2. Kaeppeler, F., Gallino, R., Bisterzo, S., Aoki, W.: The s process: nuclear physics, stellar models, and observations. Rev. Mod. Phys. 83(1), 157 (2011).10.1103/RevModPhys.83.157Search in Google Scholar
3. Abbondanno, U., Aerts, G., Álvarez-Velarde, F., Alvarez-Pol, H., Andriamonje, S., Andrzejewski, J., Badurek, G., Baumann, P., Bečvář, F., Benlliure, J., Berthoumieux, E., Calvino, F., Cano-Ott, D., Capote, R., Cennini, P., Chepel, V., Chiaveri, E., Colonna, N., Cortes, G., Cortina, D., Couture, A., Cox, J., Dababneh, S., Dahlfors, M., David, S., Dolfini, R., Domingo-Pardo, C., Duran, I., Embid-Segura, M., Ferrant, L., Ferrari, A., Ferreira-Marques, R., Frais-Koelbl, H., Furman, W., Goncalves, I., Gallino, R., Gonzalez-Romero, E., Goverdovski, A., Gramegna, F., Griesmayer, E., Gunsing, F., Haas, B., Haight, R., Heil, M., Herrera-Martinez, A., Isaev, S., Jericha, E., Kappeler, F., Kadi, Y., Karadimos, D., Kerveno, M., Ketlerov, V., Koehler, P., Konovalov, V., Krticka, M., Lamboudis, C., Leeb, H., Lindote, A., Lopes, I., Lozano, M., Lukic, S., Marganiec, J., Marrone, S., Martinez-Val, J., Mastinu, P., Mengoni, A., Milazzo, P. M., Molina-Coballes, A., Moreau, C., Mosconi, M., Neves, F., Oberhummer, H., O’Brien, S., Pancin, J., Papaevangelou, T., Paradela, C., Pavlik, A., Pavlopoulos, P., Perlado, J. M., Perrot, L., Pignatari, M., Plag, R., Plompen, A., Plukis, A., Poch, A., Policarpo, A., Pretel, C., Quesada, J., Raman, S., Rapp, W., Rauscher, T., Reifarth, R., Rosetti, M., Rubbia, C., Rudolf, G., Rullhusen, P., Salgado, J., Soares, J. C., Stephan, C., Tagliente, G., Tain, J., Tassan-Got, L., Tavora, L., Terlizzi, R., Vannini, G., Vaz, P., Ventura, A., Villamarin, D., Vincente, M. C., Vlachoudis, V., Voss, F., Wendler, H., Wiescher, M., Wisshak K.: Neutron capture cross section measurement of Sm-151 at the CERN neutron time of flight facility (n_TOF). Phys. Rev. Lett. 93(16), 5 (2004).10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.161103Search in Google Scholar
4. Lederer, C., Massimi, C., Altstadt, S., Andrzejewski, J., Audouin, L., Barbagallo, M., Bécares, V., Bečvář, F., Belloni, F., Berthoumieux, E., Billowes, J., Boccone, V., Bosnar, D., Brugger, M., Calviani, M., Calviño, F., Cano-Ott, D., Carrapiço, C., Cerutti, F., Chiaveri, E., Chin, M., Colonna, N., Cortés, G., Cortés-Giraldo, M. A., Diakaki, M., Domingo-Pardo, C., Duran, I., Dressler, R., Dzysiuk, N., Eleftheriadis, C., Ferrari, A., Fraval, K., Ganesan, S., García, A. R., Giubrone, G., Gómez-Hornillos, M. B., Gonçalves, I. F., González-Romero, E., Griesmayer, E., Guerrero, C., Gunsing, F., Gurusamy, P., Jenkins, D. G., Jericha, E., Kadi, Y., Käppeler, F., Karadimos, D., Kivel, N., Koehler, P., Kokkoris, M., Korschinek, G., Krtika, M., Kroll, J., Langer, C., Leeb, H., Leong, L. S., Losito, R., Manousos, A., Marganiec, J., Martínez, T., Mastinu, P. F., Mastromarco, M., Meaze, M., Mendoza, E., Mengoni, A., Milazzo, P. M., Mingrone, F., Mirea, M., Mondelaers, W., Paradela, C., Pavlik, A., Perkowski, J., Pignatari, M., Plompen, A., Praena, J., Quesada, J. M., Rauscher, T., Reifarth, R., Riego, A., Roman, F., Rubbia, C., Sarmento, R., Schillebeeckx, P., Schmidt, S., Schumann, D., Tagliente, G., Tain, J. L., Tarrío, D., Tassan-Got, L., Tsinganis, A., Valenta, S., Vannini, G., Variale, V., Vaz, P., Ventura, A., Versaci, R., Vermeulen, M. J., Vlachoudis, V., Vlastou, R., Wallner, A., Ware, T., Weigand, M., Weiß, C., Wright, T. J., Zugec, P.: Neutron capture cross section of unstable Ni-63: implications for stellar nucleosynthesis. Phys. Rev. Lett. 110(2), 022501 (2013).10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.022501Search in Google Scholar
5. Weigand, M., Bredeweg, T. A., Couture, A., Goebel, K., Heftrich, T., Jandel, M., Kaeppeler, F., Lederer, C., Kivel, N., Korschinek, G., Krticka, M., O’Donnell, J. M., Ostermöller, J., Plag, R., Reifarth, R., Schumann, D., Ullmann, J. L., Wallner, A.: Ni-63(n,gamma) cross sections measured with DANCE. Phys. Rev. C 92(4), (2015).10.1103/PhysRevC.92.045810Search in Google Scholar
6. Reifarth, R., Haight, R., Heil, M., Fowler, M. M., Käppeler, F., Miller, G. G., Rundberg, R. S., Ullmann, J. L., Wilhelmy, J. B.: Neutron capture measurements on Tm-171. Nucl. Phys. A 718, 478 (2003).10.1016/S0375-9474(03)00862-5Search in Google Scholar
7. Schwantes, J. M., Taylor, W. A., Rundberg, R. S., Vieira, D. J.: Preparation of a one-curie Tm-171 target for the detector for advanced neutron capture experiments (DANCE). J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 276(2), 533 (2008).10.1007/s10967-008-0538-5Search in Google Scholar
8. Gharibyan, N., Bene, B. J., Sudowe, R.: Chromatographic separation of thulium from erbium for neutron capture cross section measurements – part I: trace scale optimization of ion chromatography method with various complexing agents. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 311(1), 179 (2016).10.1007/s10967-016-4926-ySearch in Google Scholar
9. Bene, B. J., Taylor, W. A., Birnbaum, E. R., Sudowe, R.: Chromatographic separation of thulium from erbium for neutron capture cross section measurements – part II: preparative scale separation. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 311(1), 155 (2016).10.1007/s10967-016-4889-zSearch in Google Scholar
10. Reifarth, R., Arlandini, C., Heil, M., Käppeler, F., Sedyshev, P. V., Mengoni, A., Herman, M., Gallino, R., Travaglio, C.: Stellar neutron capture on promethium: implications for the s-process neutron density. Astrophys. J. 582(2), 1251 (2003).10.1086/344718Search in Google Scholar
11. Tessler, M., Paul, M., Palchan, T., Halfon, S., Weissmann, L., Hazenshprung, N., Kreisel, A., Makmal, T., Shor, A., Silverman, I.: Nucleosynthesis reactions with the high-intensity SARAF-LiLiT neutron source. In: Proceedings of “The 26th International Nuclear Physics Conference”, PoS (INPC2016) 139 (2017).10.22323/1.281.0139Search in Google Scholar
12. James, C.: Thulium I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 33, 1332 (1911).10.1021/ja02221a007Search in Google Scholar
13. Mokili, B., Poitrenaud, C.: Medium effect on the separation factor in liquid-liquid extraction. Application to the separation of trivalent lanthanide nitrates by tri-n-butylphosphate. Solv. Extr. Ion Exchange 15(3), 455 (1997).10.1080/07366299708934488Search in Google Scholar
14. Nedjadi, Y., Bailat, C., Caffari, Y., Froidevaux, P., Wastiel, C., Kivel, N., Guenther-Leopold, I., Triscone, G., Jaquenod, F., Bochud, F.: A new measurement of the half-life of 166mHo. Appl. Rad. Isot. 70(9), 1990 (2012).10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.02.063Search in Google Scholar
15. Alexander, C. W., Halperin, J., Knauer, J. B., Walker, R. L.: The thermal-neutron capture cross-sections and resonance integrals of Sm-144 and Sm-145. Nucl. Sci. Eng. 95(3), 194 (1987).10.13182/NSE87-A20448Search in Google Scholar
16. Gourgiotis, A., Isnard, H., Nonell, A., Aubert, M., Stadelmann, G., Dupont, E., AlMahamid, I., Tiang, G., Rao, L., Lukens, W., Cassettee, P., Panebiancob, S., Letourneaub, A., Chartierf, F.: Bk and Cf chromatographic separation and 249Bk/248Cm and 249Cf/248Cm elemental ratios determination by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry. Talanta 106, 39 (2013).10.1016/j.talanta.2012.11.056Search in Google Scholar
17. Qaim, S. M.: Measurement of (n,p) reaction cross-sections at 14.7 Mev using high-pressure liquid-chromatography in region of rare-earths. Radiochim. Radioanal. Let. 25(5–6), 335 (1976).Search in Google Scholar
18. Qaim, S. M., Ollig, H., Blessing, G.: Separation of lanthanides by preparative high-pressure liquid-chromatography. Radiochim. Acta 26(1). 59 (1979).10.1524/ract.1979.26.1.59Search in Google Scholar
19. Höhlein, G., Völler, H., Weinländer, W.: Verwendung von aminex* zur trennung von actiniden und lanthaniden. Radiochim. Acta 11(3/4), 172 (1969).10.1524/ract.1969.11.34.172Search in Google Scholar
20. Choppin, G. R., Silva, R. J.: Separation of the lanthanides by ion exchange with alpha-hydroxy isobutyric acid. J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 3(2), 153 (1956).10.1016/0022-1902(56)80076-6Search in Google Scholar
21. Mocko, V., Taylor, W. A., Nortier, F. M., Engle, J. W., Barnhart, T. E., Nickles, R. J., Pollington, A. D., Kunde, G. J., Rabin, M. W., Birnbaum, E. R.: Isolation of 163Ho from dysprosium target material by HPLC for neutrino mass measurements. Radiochim. Acta 103(8), 577 (2015).10.1515/ract-2014-2362Search in Google Scholar
22. Perdue, H. D., Conover, A., Sawley, N., Anderson, R.: Chemical separations using alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid solutions and both cation and anion exchange resin. Anal. Chem. 40(12), 1773 (1968).10.1021/ac60268a028Search in Google Scholar
23. Martell, A. E.: Critical Stability Constants, Vol.3: Other Organic Ligands, Springer Science+Business Media, New York (1977).10.1007/978-1-4757-1568-2Search in Google Scholar
24. Horwitz, E. P., Bloomquist, C.: Chemical separations for super-heavy element searches in irradiated uranium targets. J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 37(2), 425 (1975).10.1016/0022-1902(75)80350-2Search in Google Scholar
25. Borai, E., Ekhlom, P., Harjula, R.: Group separation of heavy metals followed by subsequent and individual separation of lanthanides by chelation chromatography. J. Liquid Chrom. Rel. Tech. 37(11), 1614 (2014).10.1080/10826076.2013.803204Search in Google Scholar
26. Baglin, C. M.: Nuclear data sheets for A=171. Nucl. Data Sheets 96(3), 399 (2002).10.1006/ndsh.2002.0014Search in Google Scholar
27. Nica, N.: Nuclear data sheets for A=147. Nucl. Data Sheets 110(4), 749 (2009).10.1016/j.nds.2009.02.003Search in Google Scholar
28. Rochman, D., Leray, O., Perret, G., Vasiliev, A., Ferroukhi, H., Koning, A. J.: Re-evaluation of the thermal neutron capture cross section of 147Nd. Annals Nucl. Energy 94, 612 (2016).10.1016/j.anucene.2016.03.024Search in Google Scholar
29. Grau Carles, A., Grau Malonda, A.: CHEREN2, the Cherenkov counting efficiency by an anisotropy detection model. Comp. Phys. Comm. 174(1), 30 (2006).10.1016/j.cpc.2005.08.003Search in Google Scholar
30. Guerrero, C., Domingo-Pardo, C., Lerendegui-Marco, J., Casanovas, A., Cortes-Giraldo, M. A., Dressler, R., Halfon, S., Heinitz, S., Kivel, N., Köster, U., Paul, M., Quesada-Molina, J. M., Schumann, D., Tarifeño-Saldivia, A., Tessler, M., Weissman, L. (The n_TOF and LiLiT Collaborations).: Neutron capture cross sections of the s-process branching points 147Pm, 171Tm, and 204Tl. In: JPS Conf. Proc. 010903 (2017). https://doi.org/10.7566/JPSCP.14.010903.10.7566/JPSCP.14.010903Search in Google Scholar
©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Activation cross section and isomeric cross-section ratio for the (n,2n) reaction on 132,134Ba
- Measurement of photo-neutron cross sections and isomeric yield ratios in the 89Y(γ,xn)89−x Y reactions at the bremsstrahlung end-point energies of 65, 70 and 75 MeV
- Production, separation and target preparation of 171Tm and 147Pm for neutron cross section measurements
- Solid phase extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid: kinetic and thermodynamic study
- Natural silica sand modified by calcium oxide as a new adsorbent for uranyl ions removal from aqueous solutions
- Radiochemical separation of 231Pa from siliceous cake prior to its determination by gamma ray spectrometry
- Investigation of selenium compounds as targets for 76,77Br production using protons of energies up to 34 MeV
- Attenuation properties of radiation shielding materials such as granite and marble against γ-ray energies between 80 and 1350 keV
- Controlled release fertilizers using superabsorbent hydrogel prepared by gamma radiation
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Activation cross section and isomeric cross-section ratio for the (n,2n) reaction on 132,134Ba
- Measurement of photo-neutron cross sections and isomeric yield ratios in the 89Y(γ,xn)89−x Y reactions at the bremsstrahlung end-point energies of 65, 70 and 75 MeV
- Production, separation and target preparation of 171Tm and 147Pm for neutron cross section measurements
- Solid phase extraction of uranium from phosphoric acid: kinetic and thermodynamic study
- Natural silica sand modified by calcium oxide as a new adsorbent for uranyl ions removal from aqueous solutions
- Radiochemical separation of 231Pa from siliceous cake prior to its determination by gamma ray spectrometry
- Investigation of selenium compounds as targets for 76,77Br production using protons of energies up to 34 MeV
- Attenuation properties of radiation shielding materials such as granite and marble against γ-ray energies between 80 and 1350 keV
- Controlled release fertilizers using superabsorbent hydrogel prepared by gamma radiation
