Probe Beam Detection of Laser-Induced Breakdown for Measuring Solubility of Actinide Compounds

A nondestructive laser-induced breakdown detection technique is developed, which entails measuring the deflection of a probe laser beam due to a shock wave generated by a laser-induced breakdown of colloidal nanoparticles in liquids. Comparing this optical method with a previously developed acoustic detection method using a piezoelectric transducer, it enables remote measurement and therefore facilitates the in situ measurement of samples in a radiation-shielded glove box. The probe beam detection of a shock wave shows a sufficiently high sensitivity for monitoring the initial colloid formation when the uranium ion concentration exceeds the solubility limit of uranium hydrolysis compounds at a certain pH. The mean solubility product log K(sp)(o) = -23.23 +/- 0.04 at an ionic strength of zero determined in this work agrees well with the previously reported result, log K(sp)(o) = -23.19 +/- 0.43, measured by a calorimetric experiment on UO(3)center dot 2H(2)O(cr). [DOI: 10.1143/JJAP.47.3530]