Our work is providing scientific knowledge that is essential for assessing new processes, techniques, methods, and approaches that seek to address nuclear fuel cycle issues within the U. S. Department of Energy. In addition, this method achieves a high degree of selectivity.
Curium is a man-made heavy element that belongs to the actinide series of chemical elements.
It is produced in nuclear reactors and is the predominant source of alpha particles in recently discharged nuclear reactor fuel. Laser-induced fluorescence from curium ions in a dilute acid solution in a rectangular sample cell is depicted in the animated graphic below. Before laser excitation, the liquid water solution in the sample tube contains curium ions in their ground electronic state. The liquid is colorless because the ions absorb very little visible light. When a blue laser pulse passes through the cell, some of the curium ions absorb the laser light and thereby become electronically excited.