Application of plutonium radiochronometry to the analysis of plutonium age dating reference materials

Radiochronometry is an important tool for nuclear forensic analysis. Plutonium has a wide array of parent/progeny pairs that can be measured to provide multiple model ages for interpretation. Various methods have been developed to provide data within specified timescales, to varied precision and accuracy requirements. In contrast to uranium, no radiochronometry reference standards currently exist for these measurements and we rely on traceability to activity and isotopic certified materials. A test reference material was provided for a blind laboratory analysis. We present analysis of this material by current techniques to increase confidence to the suitability of this methodology for certification.