Ultra-Low Field NMR of UF₆ for ²³⁵U Detection and Characterization

Per E. Magnelind, Andrei N. Matlashov, Petr L. Volegov, and Michelle A. Espy

Abstract—We have demonstrated the first ultra-low field (ULF) nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), which is used in the uranium enrichment process. A sensitive non-invasive detection system would have an important role in non-proliferation surveillance. A two-frequency technique was employed to remove the transients induced by rapidly switching off the 50 mT pre-polarization field. A mean transverse relaxation time T₂ of 24 ms was estimated for the un-enriched UF₆ sample measured at a mean temperature of 80 ^ºC.

Index Terms—uranium hexafluoride, ULF-NMR, SQUID.

Manuscript received 26 August 2008.
This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Grant LA06-INT400-PD01.
P. E. Magnelind, A. N. Matlashov, P. L. Volegov, and M. A. Espy are with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA (+1-505-665-0021; fax: +1-505-665-4507; e-mail: per@lanl.gov).

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