DETECTION OF SOURCE OF LOW-MASS PEAKS IN UF6 GASEOUS SAMPLE USING QUADRUPOLE MASS-SPECTROMETER

To determine the source of low mass peaks (0-45 amu) in gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride sample, a qualitative study was made using a Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer QMS 420 equipped with SEM and UHV facilities. The experimental findings indicates that some of these low molecular weights peaks are part of the sample and few fragments of hydrocarbons are added from oil of the diffusion pump. NO+, a product of the ion source is also detected. Many of these peaks also interfere with each other. An attempt is made to determine the origin of these interfering species in the spectrum.

M ASHRAF ATTA ,AQIL KHAN ,S TAJAMMUL HUSSAIN ,