Speaker
Dr
Isaac Arnquist
(PNNL)
Description
This paper discusses the analytical methods developed for determining the radiopurity, specifically the U and Th content, of a variety of materials considered for use in rare-event and ultralow background physics experiments, such as dark matter and neutrino studies. Due to the extremely stringent background budgets for these fundamental science studies, all materials and components must be evaluated for their inclusion in the detector. This work focuses on the analysis of a diverse set of materials and components, including linear alkyl benzene, an assortment of electrical components, fused silica, and foreign debris captured in filters. Quantification and analyses were performed using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results and the specifically-tailored approaches to preparing and/or digesting these challenging samples at ultratrace levels will be discussed.
Primary author
Dr
Isaac Arnquist
(PNNL)
Co-authors
Brian LaFerriere
(PNNL)
Eric Hoppe
(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Tapas Maiti
(PNNL)
