English

Accurate measurement of neptunium ionization potential using new laser technology

1128
2024-05-11 16:42:14
See translation

Neptunium is the main radioactive component of nuclear waste, with a complex atomic structure that can be explored through mass spectrometry. This analysis is crucial for understanding its inherent characteristics and determining the isotopic composition of neptunium waste. Magdalena Kaja and her team from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany have developed a novel laser spectroscopy technique that can more accurately measure the ionization potential of neptunium compared to previous methods.

Neptunium is an actinide metal in the periodic table adjacent to uranium, with an atomic number of 93. The inspiration for its name comes from Neptune, located outside of Uranus in the solar system, which is a recognition of its position. Among the 25 known isotopes, most have extremely short lifetimes. However, the most stable isotope, neptunium 237 (237 Np), has a half-life of over 2 million years, making it a particularly dangerous nuclear pollutant.

The neptunium isotope samples available for this type of analysis are very small: they typically only contain a few atoms of the isotope.


Magdalena Kaja and her colleagues utilized a cutting-edge device that includes solid-state titanium: sapphire laser systems, enhanced laser ion sources, and high transmittance mass separators. This advanced equipment has played an important role in their research on neptunium.

The research team used this technique to measure the first ionization energy of neptunium, which is the energy required to remove the first electron from the outermost electron shell to form a positive ion. They accurately determined the value to be 6.265608 (19) eV. This measurement is not only consistent with the values previously reported in scientific literature, but also achieves an accuracy level more than ten times higher than any previous measurement.

This method can also be applied to the analysis and detection of trace amounts of neptunium in radioactive waste.

Source: Laser Net

Related Recommendations
  • Market Outlook: The market size of laser drilling equipment is expected to reach 2.5 billion US dollars by 2033

    According to a recent report by Strategic Revenue Insights, the market size of laser drilling equipment is expected to increase from $1.2 billion in 2024 to $2.5 billion in 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. This significant growth is mainly driven by the sustained demand for precision micro drilling technology in multiple high-tech fields such as aerospace, electronics, auto...

    11-26
    See translation
  • Munich Shanghai Light Expo and Light Academic Publishing Center further strengthen cooperation

    In November 2024, based on the mutual trust and cooperation over the past years, the Munich Shanghai Optical Expo and the Light Academic Publishing Center of the Changchun Institute of Optics, Precision Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the "Light Center") reached a consensus on further strategic development as they ushered in the year of disruptive sci...

    2024-12-05
    See translation
  • Additive Manufacturing Software Market 2025: Analysis, Data, and Forecasting

    In March 2025, Additive Manufacturing Research (AMR) released its latest 3D printing market research report, "AM Software Markets 2025: Analysis, Data, and Forecast," which provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the 3D printing software industry. The latest research findings indicate that global revenue from additive manufacturing (AM) software is expected to grow from $2.44 billion in ...

    03-17
    See translation
  • The use of laser equipment to recover refractory materials can reduce 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions

    Refractory material can withstand high temperature above 1500℃. They are essential materials for industrial furnaces that produce glass or ceramics, non-ferrous metals and steel. The service life of manufactured refractory products can range from a few days to many years, depending on the material, the temperature in the melting vessel and other operating parameters. As a result, although ...

    2023-09-04
    See translation
  • TRUMPF helps upgrade the automation of 3D laser processing for automotive thermoforming

    (Dechengen, Germany, March 24, 2025) - TRUMPF Group in Germany has now provided end customers with a fully automated one-stop solution for laser processing systems. With this solution, customers can not only shorten the production cycle, but also effectively reduce the cost of 3D laser material processing. Our laser equipment has excellent production efficiency. Now, through the automation upgrade...

    04-02
    See translation