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- Title
Advances in the Measurement Sciences for Verification Being Undertaken at LANL in Support of Nuclear Safeguards.
- Authors
Croft, Stephen; Miller, Karen
- Abstract
The objective of international nuclear safeguards is the timely detection of the diversion of nuclear materials in peaceful nuclear programs for use in nuclear weapons or other explosive devices. In safeguarding nuclear materials, design information verification of facilities, establishment of a materials control and accountancy (MC&A) system, the implementation of a containment and surveillance system, along with an inspection regime are of fundamental importance to creating overall confidence in a nation's adherence to its international obligations. The MC&A activity is supported by nondestructive physical measurements. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has been at the forefront of research and development in nondestructive measurement techniques for identifying and quantifying key attributes of nuclear materials since the field of measurement sciences for verification began. Nondestructive assay (NDA) entails quantifying some attribute of nuclear material-such as enrichment, relative isotopic composition, or mass-using penetrating signatures so that the item can be measured intact with minimal or no preparation. In this paper, we review some of the work currently ongoing at LANL. Most of the examples we provide involve measuring neutrons, photons, or heat naturally emitted by the items under study. We conclude with thoughts on emerging challenges and opportunities such as the need for improvements in basic nuclear data.
- Subjects
NUCLEAR weapons safety; SAFETY regulations of radioactive substances; LOS Alamos National Laboratory; NONDESTRUCTIVE testing; ISOTOPIC analysis
- Publication
Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, 2012, Vol 40, Issue 4, p32
- ISSN
0893-6188
- Publication type
Article