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Published: 1987

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We have developed a rapid radiochemical procedure for the isolation and purification of /sup 235m/U (t12 = 26 minutes) from 239Pu samples up to 250 mg. Purpose of developing the procedure was to measure the thermal neutron fission cross section of the isomeric meta state of 235U. We used rapid small-scale anion exchange columns that absorbed uranium in concentrated HBr but did not absorb plutonium. Uranium was easily eluted with very dilute HF. The separation time required 25 to 35 minutes. We were able to attain a separation factor of uranium from plutonium of approximately 1 x 101° with samples ranging from 1 x 101° to 3 x 1011. The ratio of the fission cross sections for the meta to ground state was measured to be 1.42. 4 figs., 1 tab.