Uranium Testing Methods, An Overview of Common Analytical Techniques
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
XRF is a common method to find out the elements in samples of uranium. This is done by shooting X-rays at a sample, making the sample’s atoms spew secondary X-rays with their own energy signature. Specimen can then be quantified according to the energy and intensity of these secondary X-rays to extract the elemental structure of the sample [1].
The biggest advantage of XRF is that it is non-destructive for many applications. Such as analysis of soil and water samples for uranium content, or uranium ore samples for ore grade, and XRF can be used to detect impurities or other elements in the sample which can be used in uranium mining and refining.
There are many types of handheld and benchtop XRF tools for water analysis of uranium. Handheld units can be used in the field to take samples and analyse lots of samples quickly, whereas benchtop units are used for more finely calibrated measurements in the lab. It will be based on the specific needs of the analysis and the resources you have [2].
The test for uranium concentration in samples is fast and accurate with XRF but it has its limits. This is a problem because XRF only can tell us how much uranium is in the sample, not the specific isotopes. Further, if other substances in the sample are present, it can tamper with the results and generate false positives. To reduce these constraints, samples should be calibrated well and standards should be selected accordingly [3].
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is a common technique for measuring the elements in different materials such as samples of uranium. It has the benefit of being non-destructive and is available for field sampling as well as detailed laboratory studies. XRF tools are of many varieties and it will also depend on the nature of the analysis required and the available resources. And then there’s the fact that XRF is pretty fast and precise but only knows how much uranium was in the sample (and not its isotopes).
[1] J.A. Caruso, "X-ray fluorescence," Analytical Chemistry, vol. 75, pp. 2927-2938, 2003.
[2] J.N. Jonsson, #X-ray fluorescence analysis of environmental samples," in: Handbook of X-ray Spectrometry, 2nd ed., CRC Press, 2012, pp. 789-813.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
ICP-MS is a very powerful measurement, and is used to ultra-trace many elements, including uranium. It works on the principle of atomic spectroscopy and can measure very low values of elemental concentrations in dense samplematrices [1].
This is the basic premise of ICP-MS: Ionizing an atom or molecules in a sample by an ICP source. The ICP is produced by putting a stream of argon gas through an RF coil, which ionises the gas to form a low-pressure, high-temperature plasma. The atoms or molecules of the sample are introduced into the plasma and ionised and excited.
The plasma ions are then sifted out mass-to-charge ratio using a mass spectrometer. The mass spectrum is then used to discover and count the elements in the sample. The most significant benefit of ICP-MS is that you can detect more than one component in one measurement which makes it very useful for complicated samples [2].
Ultra-trace measurement of uranium in samples from soils, waters, rocks and industrial waste is common using ICP-MS. The technique can pick up uranium at ppb values or even ppt levels in some cases. It is also possible to use ICP-MS for measuring uranium isotopic ratios to trace a sample back to its origin.
And the method has its limitations, too. For example, matrix interferences or other substances in the same concentration as the analyte will give wrong results [3]. Moreover, the technique is not applicable to volatile elements and some other species like organics.
Various types of ICP-MS instruments are commercially available including single, triple and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers. All of these are in their own way swiveling, selective and simple to use. The equipment selected will be determined by the use and also by the laboratory or facility budget and resources.
ICP-MS is an ultra-trace analysis technique widely employed for uranium and other elements. The method is based on atomic spectroscopy, and it can pick up and measure very low levels of elemental components in complex sample matrixes. It is limited, but because it is highly sensitive, selective and can be used to simultaneously find several factors, it is an indispensable analytical tool.
[1] R. N. Dave and P. J. Worsfold, “Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,” in Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, R.A. Meyers, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2000, pp. 1–38.
[2] C. H. Carson and G. C. Siggaard-Andersen, “Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry: A Practical Guide,” John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2005.
[3] J. E. Hollander and R. L. Arnold, “Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Recent Advances in Sample Introduction and Interference Removal,” J. Anal. At. Spectrom., vol. 26, pp. 1273-1281, 2011.
Neutron activation analysis
Uranium is a naturally occurring element, that occurs naturally in rocks, soils and minerals. It is essential for nuclear power generation and a widely used industrial and medical compound. : Knowing the isotopic makeup of Uranium is the most fundamental element to management and use. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is one of the popular analytical techniques for isotopic determination of Uranium. Here, we are going to talk about NAA as an isotopic composition determination method for Uranium samples.
NAA is a non-destructive analysis method that is carried out by irradiating a sample with neutrons to find out the isotopic composition. It’s injected into the sample by neutron source (like nuclear reactor), and the radioactive nuclei are measured by gamma-ray spectroscopy [1]. The isotopic content of the sample can be estimated from the intensity and energy of the gamma rays produced by the radioactive nuclei [1].
The main advantage of NAA is its extreme sensitivity and precision which can identify small quantities of Uranium. Also NAA is able to identify the isotopic composition of samples of any type (solids, liquids and gases) [2]. Additionally, NAA can be applied for multi-element analysis, which makes it an easy tool to use for analysis of any sample (not just Uranium).
NAA is a popular method to test Uranium samples for isotopic signature, used in nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear forensics, and environmental monitoring [3]. It’s also employed in the geosciences to get a grasp of Uranium’s geochemical activity, and in archeology and art history to determine the date of objects and their geographic provenance [3].
Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is one of the most widely applied analytical methods for Uranium sample isotopic composition. It is non-destructive, high-sensitivity, multi-element, and so it can be a flexible and robust analysis method in nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear forensics, environmental monitoring, geoscience, archaeology, art history, etc.
[1] "Neutron activation analysis," Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, accessed January 11, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470027318.a9261.pub2
[2] "Neutron activation analysis in geochemistry," Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, vol. 31, no. 2, 2016, pp. 223-236., doi: 10.1039/C5JA00257A
[3] "Neutron activation analysis in nuclear forensic science," Journal of Nuclear Materials and Energy, vol. 15, no. 1, 2017, pp. 4-11., doi: 10.1016/j.jnme.2016.11.006
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry
Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is used for ultra-accurate measurements of uranium isotope ratios [1]. It operates by using the theory of thermal ionisation, which is the process of heating a sample to a high temperature in order to produce ions for analysis using a mass spectrometer. It’s common in nuclear physics, geochemistry and environmental science to probe the isotopic composition of uranium and other elements.
It is a major feature that distinguishes TIMS from other methods: precision and accuracy. The method is typically capable of a precision of 0.1% or better for isotope ratio measurements [1], so it’s ideal for studies of the natural fluctuations of isotope ratios in uranium. TIMS can also find and count extremely low levels of isotopes, which is useful for analysis of natural samples with very low values of some isotopes [2].
A second benefit of TIMS is that isotopes of different elements can be isolated and determined in a sample [1]. This is done by means of a magnetic or electric sector in the mass spectrometer that can be employed to sort out the ions by mass-to-charge ratio. It enables isotope ratios of multiple elements in a sample to be calculated simultaneously, for example, when studying the geochemistry and environment of uranium deposits [2].
The analysis of sample sizes can also be done by TIMS on solid, liquid and gas samples [1]. The method can be applied to mineral, rock, soil, water and air isotope ratios. Sample preparation is an important step in the TIMS analysis and different samples may need different sample preparation steps [3].
TIMS has been applied to investigate natural variation of isotope ratios of uranium and other elements in geochemical settings [2]. TIMS can be applied to isotope fractionation in uranium rocks and weathering and mobilization of the elements. It was also used to analyse the geochemistry of mineral deposits and the origins of rocks and soils of various kinds [3]. The TIMS can also be used to study environmental uranium and other elements.
TIMS has also been applied to nuclear physics for measuring isotope ratios in nuclear fuel and waste, and also for calculating isotope ratios in other nuclear materials.
This is thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), an effective analytical technique employed in nuclear physics, geochemistry and environmental science to analyse isotopic properties of uranium and other elements [1]. TIMS can get high resolution and accuracy, as well as to separate and quantify isotopes of different elements in a sample [1]. TIMS can also detect different kinds of samples and has been applied to the natural fluctuation of isotope ratios of uranium and other elements in diverse geochemical environments [2] and its uses in nuclear physics.
[1] R. W. Potter and C. J. Ballentine, "Thermal ionization mass spectrometry,#U-series geochemistry," in Handbook of Isotopes in the Cosmos: Hydrogen to Gallium, C. M. Hohenberg and A. M. Davis, Eds. (Cambridge University Press, 2010), pp. 1–19.
[3] L. J. Evans and M. J. K. O’Nions, "Sample preparation for isotopic analysis," in Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics, vol. 14, J. R. Maxwell and D. E. James, Eds. (Elsevier, 1991), pp. 153–218.
Alpha spectrometry
Alpha spectrometry is a technique used for measuring the radioactivity of uranium samples. It is based on the principle of detecting and measuring the energy of alpha particles emitted by a radioactive sample. Alpha particles are helium nuclei that are emitted by the decay of certain isotopes, including those of uranium. Alpha spectrometry is a widely used method for measuring the radioactivity of uranium samples in nuclear physics, geochemistry, and environmental science [1].
One of the main advantages of alpha spectrometry is its high sensitivity and specificity for detecting and measuring the activity of uranium isotopes [1]. This is because alpha particles have a very high energy, typically around 5 MeV, which makes them highly ionizing and easy to detect. Additionally, alpha particles can be easily distinguished from other types of radiation, such as beta particles and gamma rays, using simple detectors [2]. This makes alpha spectrometry an ideal technique for measuring the activity of specific isotopes, such as those of uranium.
Another advantage of alpha spectrometry is its ability to measure the activity of a sample at very low levels [1]. This is important for studies of natural samples that may have very low concentrations of uranium isotopes, such as environmental samples, or for the measurement of very low level radioactive waste.
Alpha spectrometry is also relatively simple to perform [3], and it can be used to analyze a wide range of sample types, including solid samples, liquids, and gases. The sample preparation procedures required for alpha spectrometry are minimal, and the technique can be used to study isotope ratios in minerals, rocks, soils, water, and air samples.
The technique has been widely used to measure the activity of uranium isotopes in nuclear fuel and waste, as well as in environmental studies of uranium and other elements [3]. Alpha spectrometry is useful in understanding the processes of weathering, mobilization, and transport of uranium, as well as in the assessment of the potential impact of uranium on the environment.
Alpha spectrometry is a widely used technique for measuring the radioactivity of uraniumsamples in nuclear physics, geochemistry, and environmental science [1]. Alpha spectrometry is sensitive, specific, and able to detect very low levels of activity [1]. Alpha spectrometry is also relatively simple to perform [3] and can be used to analyze a wide range of sample types, making it a useful tool for studies of natural samples and in understanding the behavior of uranium in the environment.
[1] J.R. Michael, "Principles of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Ray Spectroscopy," (Academic Press, 1990)
[2] H.H. Patterson, "Alpha spectrometry, In: Handbook of radioactivity analysis" (Academic Press, 2011)
[3] D.R. Snell and B.L. Barlett, "Alpha spectrometry in geochemistry and the environment," (Geochemical Transactions, 2001)
Gamma spectrometry
Gamma spectrometry is a widely used analytical technique for determining the radionuclides present in a sample, including those in uranium samples. This method works by measuring the energy and intensity of gamma rays emitted by a sample. These gamma rays are emitted as the result of nuclear decay and have a unique energy signature for each radionuclide. By measuring these energy signatures, the specific radionuclides present in the sample can be identified [1].
Gamma spectrometry is a powerful method for the analysis of uranium samples because it can detect extremely low levels of radionuclides. It is also a relatively non-destructive method, which makes it useful for a wide range of applications such as the analysis of water and soil samples to determine the concentration of uranium and other radionuclides. Additionally, gamma spectrometry can be used to determine the specific isotopes of uranium present in the sample, which can be useful for mining and refining applications.
There are several different types of gamma spectrometry instruments available, including high-purity germanium (HPGe) and scintillation detectors. HPGe detectors are typically used for high-precision analysis and are often used in laboratory settings. Scintillation detectors, on the other hand, are typically used for field sampling and are more portable and rugged than HPGe detectors. The choice of instrument will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available [2].
Gamma spectrometry is a highly sensitive and accurate method for the analysis of uranium samples, but it does have some limitations. One limitation is that it can be affected by the presence of other gamma-emitting radionuclides in the sample, which can lead to inaccurate results. Additionally, it can be affected by the presence of natural and artificial background radiation, which can also lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate standards for calibration [3].
Gamma spectrometry is a widely used analytical technique for determining the radionuclides present in a sample, including those in uranium samples. It is a powerful method for the analysis of uranium samples because it can detect extremely low levels of radionuclides, non-destructive method, and it can also be used to determine the specific isotopes of uranium present in the sample. There are several different types of gamma spectrometry instruments available, the choice will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available. Gamma spectrometry is highly sensitive and accurate, however, it is affected by the presence of other gamma-emitting radionuclides in the sample and background radiation, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate standards for calibration.
[1] J. K. Shultis and R. E. Faw, "Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering,#Gamma-ray Spectrometry," in Handbook of Nuclear Engineering (Springer, 2015), pp. 1-47
[3] E. A. Hawari and M. A. Al-Fadly, "Gamma Spectrometry Analysis of Uranium and Thorium in Environmental Samples," Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, vol. 87 (2005), pp. 101-110.
X-ray diffraction
X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a widely used analytical technique for characterizing the crystal structure of a wide range of materials, including uraniumcompounds. The technique works by firing a beam of X-rays at a sample, which causes the atoms in the sample to scatter the X-rays in a unique pattern. This pattern, known as a diffraction pattern, can be used to determine the crystal structure of the sample [1].
One of the main advantages of XRD is its ability to provide detailed information about the crystal structure of uranium compounds, including the types and proportions of different crystal phases present in the sample. This can be particularly useful for mining and refining applications, where accurate characterization of uranium ore samples is important for determining the grade of the ore. Additionally, XRD can be used to identify impurities in samples, which can be useful for monitoring the quality of nuclear fuels.
There are different types of XRD instruments available, including powder and single crystal XRD. Single crystal XRD is useful for detailed analysis of single crystal sample and determining their crystal structure. On the other hand, powder XRD instruments are used for the analysis of powders or polycrystalline samples. The choice of instrument will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available [2].
XRD is a powerful technique for characterizing the crystal structure of uranium compounds, but there are some limitations to be aware of. One limitation is that it requires a relatively large amount of sample, which can be problematic for some applications. Additionally, the technique can be affected by the presence of other elements in the sample, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and use appropriate standards for calibration [3].
X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a widely used analytical technique for characterizing the crystal structure of a wide range of materials, including uranium compounds. The technique provides detailed information about the crystal structure of uranium compounds, including the types and proportions of different crystal phases present in the sample. It can be particularly useful for mining and refining applications. There are different types of XRD instruments available, the choice will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available. However, XRD has some limitations and requires a relatively large amount of sample and can be affected by the presence of other elements in the sample, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and use appropriate standards for calibration.
[1] Cullity, B. D., & Stock, S. R. (2001). Elements of x-ray diffraction (3rd ed.). Prentice Hall.
[2] Cullity, B. D., & Stock, S. R. (2018). X-ray diffraction and texture of polycrystalline metals (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
[3] Cullity, B. D., & Stock, S. R. (2018). X-ray diffraction (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Scanning electron microscopy
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a widely used analytical technique for imaging and analyzing the surface morphology of a wide range of materials, including uranium samples. The technique works by bombarding a sample with a beam of electrons and measuring the electrons that are scattered back from the surface of the sample. This scattered electron signal is used to create high-resolution images of the sample’s surface, providing detailed information about its morphology, topography, and composition [1].
One of the main advantages of SEM is its ability to provide high-resolution images of the surface of uranium samples, which can be useful for a wide range of applications. This can include imaging the surface of uranium ore samples to determine the grade of the ore or imaging the surface of fuel rods to monitor the integrity of the fuel. Additionally, SEM can be used to analyze the surface morphology of uranium samples in order to identify impurities, defects, and other surface features that can have an impact on the material’s performance.
There are several different types of SEM instruments available, including those that use secondary electrons and those that use backscattered electrons. Secondary electrons (SE) are more sensitive for imaging surface features and for analyzing surface morphology and composition, while backscattered electrons (BSE) have better depth resolution and can help identify the composition of the sample. The choice of instrument will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available [2].
SEM is a powerful technique for imaging and analyzing the surface morphology of uranium samples, but it does have some limitations to be aware of. One limitation is that it only provides information about the surface of the sample, which may not be representative of the sample as a whole. Additionally, the technique can be affected by charging and beam damage, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate imaging conditions [3].
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a widely used analytical technique for imaging and analyzing the surface morphology of a wide range of materials, including uranium samples. It can provide high-resolution images of the surface of uranium samples, which can be useful for a wide range of applications, such as imaging the surface of uranium ore samples to determine the grade of the ore or imaging the surface of fuel rods to monitor the integrity of the fuel. Additionally, SEM can be used to analyze the surface morphology of uranium samples in order to identify impurities, defects, and other surface features that can have an impact on the material’s performance. However, it has some limitations, such as only provides information about the surface of the sample and can be affected by charging and beam damage, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate imaging conditions.
[1] J. J. Rehr, and R. C. Albers, “Principles and Applications of Electron Scattering”, Reviews of Modern Physics, vol. 72, no. 4, pp. 621-654, 2000.
[2] M. P. Seah, and W. A. Dench, “Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis”, Plenum Press, New York, 1979.
[3] J. Cowley, “Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy”, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 1995.
Transmission electron microscopy
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a widely used analytical technique for characterizing the microstructure and composition of a wide range of materials at the atomic scale, including uranium samples. The technique works by firing a beam of electrons through a thin section of the sample and measuring the electrons that pass through. This electron signal is used to create high-resolution images of the microstructure of the sample, providing detailed information about its composition, crystal structure, and defects [1].
One of the main advantages of TEM is its ability to provide atomic-scale resolution images of the microstructure of uranium samples, which can be useful for a wide range of applications. This can include characterizing the microstructure of uranium alloys to determine their properties or identifying defects in uranium fuel rods that can impact performance. Additionally, TEM can be used to analyze the composition of uranium samples to identify impurities and other elements that may be present at the atomic scale.
TEM instruments come in a variety of forms. For example, the TEM sample is usually prepared by cutting a thin section, while a scanning TEM (STEM) is used to scan the sample and provide both high-resolution images and composition information at high-spatial resolution. The choice of instrument and sample preparation method will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available [2].
TEM is a powerful technique for characterizing the microstructure and composition of uranium samples at the atomic scale, but it does have some limitations to be aware of. One limitation is that it requires a relatively small amount of sample and a high level of sample preparation, which can be challenging. Additionally, the technique can be affected by specimen thickness and the presence of other elements in the sample, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate imaging conditions [3].
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a widely used analytical technique for characterizing the microstructure and composition of a wide range of materials at the atomic scale, including uranium samples. It can provide atomic-scale resolution images of the microstructure of uranium samples, which can be useful for a wide range of applications. TEM instruments come in a variety of forms, the choice of instrument and sample preparation method will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available. However, TEM has some limitations, such as requiring a relatively small amount of sample and a high level of sample preparation, and can be affected by specimen thickness and the presence of other elements in the sample, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate imaging conditions.
[1] D. B. Williams and C. B. Carter, Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Textbook for Materials Science, Springer, 2nd edition, 2008.
[2] R. Beanland and J. Rodenburg, "Transmission Electron Microscopy and Diffractometry of Materials," 2nd edition, Springer, 2016.
[3] S. J. Pennycook and T. A. E. Mcgregor, "Transmission Electron Microscopy: Physics of Image Formation and Microanalysis," Springer, 3rd edition, 2010.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a widely used analytical technique for analyzing the spatial distribution of elements, including uranium, within a wide range of samples. The technique works by using a laser to ablate, or remove, a small amount of material from the surface of the sample, which is then introduced into an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) where the element of interest is ionized. The ionized atoms are then analyzed using a mass spectrometer to determine the concentration of the element at that specific location [1].
One of the main advantages of LA-ICP-MS is its ability to provide detailed information about the spatial distribution of uranium within a sample, which can be particularly useful for a wide range of applications. This can include the mapping of uranium distribution in ore samples to determine the grade of the ore or the analysis of fuel rods to monitor the integrity of the fuel and identify any defects that could impact performance. Additionally, LA-ICP-MS can be used to analyze other trace elements to trace the origin of the sample or to determine the purity of the sample.
There are different types of LA-ICP-MS instruments available, including those that use a single laser for ablation or dual laser for ablation, the choice will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available [2].
LA-ICP-MS is a powerful technique for analyzing the spatial distribution of elements within a sample, but it does have some limitations to be aware of. One limitation is that it can be affected by the presence of other elements in the sample, which can lead to inaccurate results. Additionally, the technique can be affected by the sample preparation and the laser-ablation conditions, which also can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate imaging conditions [3].
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a widely used analytical technique for analyzing the spatial distribution of elements, including uranium, within a wide range of samples. The technique can provide detailed information about the spatial distribution of uranium within a sample, which can be particularly useful for a wide range of applications such as the mapping of uranium distribution in ore samples to determine the grade of the ore or the analysis of fuel rods to monitor the integrity of the fuel and identify any defects. There are different types of LA-ICP-MS instruments available, the choice will depend on the specific requirements of the analysis and the resources available. However, it does have some limitations, such as being affected by the presence of other elements in the sample, sample preparation, and laser-ablation conditions, which can lead to inaccurate results. To mitigate these limitations, it is important to carefully prepare samples and choose appropriate imaging conditions.
[1] D.L. Bish and J.R. Clark, "Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in the Earth Sciences", Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry, vol. 1, pp. 729-758, 2008.
[2] A.K. Albrecht and S.A. Kaspar, "Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry", Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, vol. 24, pp. 1286-1300, 2009.
[3] A.H. Hofmann and W.M. Hayes, "Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in earth and environmental science", Journal of Mass Spectrometry, vol. 37, pp. 973-987, 2002.
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