6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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Application of ICP-MS for low background measurement

7 Jul 2026, 10:10
20m
Lecture Hall GH2 (University of the Western Cape)

Lecture Hall GH2

University of the Western Cape

Oral Presentation Track B - Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics Nuclear, Particle and Radiation Physics -1

Speaker

Ms Naomi Dikeledi Mokhine (North-West University (Mafikeng))

Description

An increasing number of fundamental physics investigations require low-background materials for their construction. These investigations require materials exhibiting an unparalleled degree of radiopurity, such as copper, lead, and germanium, for dark matter and neutrino detectors. The concentration of radioactive contaminants is the primary measure for experiments investigating rare natural events. Uranium and thorium, as well as their decay chain isotopes, are the main source of gamma, neutrons, and alpha particles. It is required for low-level background materials to be screened for ultra-trace levels of radionuclides before they are installed. This study presents an optimized Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) methodology leveraging cutting-edge nuclear physics technologies and facilities to achieve low-background, high-precision U and Th measurements.

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Author

Ms Naomi Dikeledi Mokhine (North-West University (Mafikeng))

Co-authors

Mr D V Filosofov (Laboratory of Nuclear Problems) Mr D V Karaivanov (Laboratory of Nuclear Problems) Mr N A Mirzayev (Laboratory of Nuclear Problems) Mr V O Zyabchenkov (Laboratory of Nuclear Problems)

Presentation materials