Radioactive Origin of Emissions Observed from Uranium Compounds and Their Silica Cells

Abstract

Uranyl ion fluorescence at 520 nm has been recorded from solutions that were excited only by radioactive emanations from trace concentrations of a 232U impurity or added 225actinium nitrate. This fluorescence had also been observed by others from 233UO4·2H2O, but was attributed to a nuclear origin. Atomic oxygen emission was observed for a 233UO4·2H2O sample, as was a broad visible emission originating from the fused silica tube that contained the radioactive sample.