CCRI-CCQM Workshop on the Use of Mass Spectrometry in Radionuclide Metrology: Opportunities and Challenges

14 to 16 February 2023 (10:00-13:00 UTC)

Co-Chairs

Participation

This workshop is open to experts and stakeholders from both radionuclide metrology and inorganic chemical analysis communities with experience or interest in using mass spectrometry to support metrological analysis of radioactive elements in applications such as nuclear power, environmental stewardship, forensics and medicine, and the nuclear data supporting the counting methods used in radionuclide metrology. In particular, we look forward to the synergy of CCQM’s expertise in mass spectrometry and CCRI’s expertise in radionuclide materials analyses in guiding our discussions on the most suitable methodologies.
Short video “tutorials” – on topics such as using mass spectrometry to resolve data issues with long-lived radionuclides; counting methods used in radionuclide metrology; proper usage of mass spectrometry instrumentation in analysing radioactive materials – are available in advance of the workshop to help set the stage (see at the bottom of the page).

This workshop will be held virtually on the Zoom platform. We are looking forward to a dynamic meeting!

Workshop Steering Committee

Recognizing that this topic is of interest to both radionuclide metrology and to inorganic chemical analysis, members of the steering committee were chosen with a range of expertise:

• Dirk Arnold (PTB, Germany)
• Richard Essex (NIST, USA)
• Jacqueline Mann (NIST, USA)
• Zoltan Mester (NRC – Canada)
• Olaf Rienitz (PTB, Germany)
• Ben Russell (NPL, UK)
• Jochen Vogl (BAM, Germany)
• Freda van Wyngaardt (ANSTO, Australia)

Workshop Aims

This workshop follows on from a CCRI Webinar, “Mass Spectrometry in Radionuclide Metrology” (17 February 2022). It aims to:

• describe progress and current work at various institutions using mass spectrometry in the measurement of radionuclides and related stable progeny,
• elucidate the advantages of using mass spectrometry to support counting methods in the radionuclide metrology laboratory, particularly in specific cases (such as measurement of the activity and the amount of substance in the determination of half-lives with reduced uncertainties for select radionuclides) where current data are lacking,
• identify stakeholder metrology needs and identify gaps that could be addressed through further development of measurements and applications of mass spectrometry,
• define the requirements to potentially applying mass spectrometry in radionuclide metrology including measurement uncertainty, standards, reference materials, comparisons, and reference data,
• define the requirements for establishing an SI-traceability chain for the calibration of mass spectrometry system for the measurements of radionuclides,
• identify challenges to the use of mass spectrometry in the radionuclide metrology laboratory, including relating mass measurement to activity measurement.

Anticipated Outputs

In addition to a compilation of information from the various institutions already using mass spectrometry in radionuclide metrology, it is expected that a document such as a white paper, article for publication, or similar (along the lines of “Challenges and Opportunities in Using Mass Spectrometry in Radionuclide Metrology”) will result from discussions during and immediately following the workshop.