Actinides AMS at CIRCE and 236 U and Pu measurements of structural and environmental samples from in and around a mothballed nuclear power plant

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is presently the most sensitive technique for the measurement of long-lived actinides, e.g. 236U and 239Pu. A new actinide line is in operation at the Center for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental heritage (CIRCE) in Caserta, Italy. Using the actinide line a uranium mass sensitivity of around 4μg has been reached measuring with a 16-strip silicon detector, and a 239Pu background level of below 0.1fg has been obtained.