High-resolution Uranium Isotope α Energy Spectrum Source Prepared by Linear Anode Electroplating Method

Uranium is a critical raw material in the nuclear industry, and its isotopic analysis plays a vital role in nuclear facility decommissioning, environmental monitoring, and radioactive waste management. α spectrometry has become a key technique for routine uranium isotope detection due to its high sensitivity and low cost. However, its high energy resolution requires the preparation of thin and uniformly deposited electroplated sources. Although traditional linear anode electroplating cells are rarely used in high-resolution α spectrometry due to poor deposition uniformity, their advantages—such as simple design, minimal consumption of Pt, and ease of standardization—make them promising for high-throughput sample processing. In this study, we developed a novel linear platinum anode electroplating cell with a defined effective plating area of a 5 mm diameter circle, and systematically optimized the electroplating parameters. Experimental results demonstrate that at a current of 0.15 A, the resulting electroplated source exhibits the narrowest full width at half maximum, indicating optimal energy resolution, while the activity ratio of ²³⁸U to ²³⁴U approaches the theoretical value of 1. These characteristics meet the stringent requirements for high-resolution α spectrometric analysis of uranium isotopes. This method enables the fabrication of high-quality electroplated sources from samples containing sub-microgram or even nanogram levels of uranium, making it suitable for precise uranium isotope measurement. The present work provides a practical approach to simplifying electroplating apparatus design without compromising analytical accuracy, offering strong potential for widespread application.