Principles of ionization unit development for isotopic analysis of u and transuraniums in solid phase (review)

Principles of development of modern ion sources with surface thermoionization, for isotopic analysis in atomic industry have been discussed. It has been shown that only two configurations of multi-ribbon ion sources are important for modern commercial instruments: two and three-ribbon ones. Atomic physical-chemical processes on the ionization ribbon have been analyzed, and physical limitations for the sample utilization coefficient have been pointed out. It was concluded that an essential increase in accuracy of isotopic measurements by surface thermoionization can be achieved only through simultaneous atomic consideration of all ion processes in the instrument including its burn, transportation, mass-analysis, and registration.