Hybrid mass-alpha spectrometry for high resolution spectroscopy
The system includes a tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus, a mixing chamber, and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus. The processor executes steps to form an isotope detection rate versus negative pressure response curve and to determine the isotopic ratio. The mixing chamber is selectively coupled to the tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus. The mixing chamber is configured to prepare a sample for tensioned metastable fluid detector analysis.
1 . A system configured to determine an isotopic ratio of an isotope bearing sample, comprising:
a tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus;
a mixing chamber; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus, the processor executing steps to form an isotope detection rate versus negative pressure response curve and to determine the isotopic ratio.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the prediction an isotope detection rate versus negative pressure response curve includes identifying a negative pressure of a center line in the tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the prediction of an isotope detection rate versus negative pressure response curve includes identifying a radius of a portion of fluid that is above a threshold negative pressure state.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the prediction of an isotope detection rate versus negative pressure response curve includes identifying a predicted count rate at a negative pressure state.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the determination of the isotopic ratio includes determining a difference between a measured count rate and an expected count rate for each isotopic ratio at a measured negative pressure.
6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising the determination of a measurement error.
7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising the determination of a percentage of confidence between the isotopic ratio and the measurement of error.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus is a centrifugally tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the centrifugally tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus is molded with a plastic material.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plastic material does not chemically react with a centrifugally tensioned metastable fluid detector sensing fluid.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the centrifugally tensioned metastable fluid detector apparatus includes a main housing that is substantially diamond-shaped, the main housing has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is coupled to the second portion by at least one of an adhesive, a thermal means, and an acoustic means.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system has an alpha energy resolution under 10 keV.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system has a 4 x alpha detection efficiency greater than about ninety-five percent.
14 . A nuclear forensic detector using the system of claim 1 .