Low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for an information barrier based on a multi-criteria template-matching approach
Abstract
Gamma-ray spectrometry has been successfully employed to identify unique items containing special nuclear materials. Template information barriers have been developed in the past to confirm items as warheads by comparing their gamma signature to the signature of true warheads. Their development has, however, not been fully transparent, and they may not be sensitive to some relevant evasion scenarios. Here, we develop a fully open template information barrier concept, based on low-resolution measurements, which, by design, reduces the extent of revealed sensitive information. The concept is based on three signatures of an item to be compared to a recorded template. The similarity of the spectrum is assessed by a modification of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to confirm the isotopic composition. The total gamma count rate must agree with the template as a measure of the projected surface of the object. In order to detect the diversion of fissile material from the interior of an item, a polyethylene mask is placed in front of the detector. Neutrons from spontaneous and induced fission events in the item produce 2.223 MeV gamma rays from neutron capture by hydrogen-1 in the mask. This peak is detected and its intensity scales with the item's fissile mass. Thismore »
- Authors:
-
- Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1367883
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1397768
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NA0002534; NA 0002534
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 840; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0168-9002
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; Gamma-ray spectrometry; Information barrier; Template approach; Nuclear warhead verification; Nuclear disarmament; Nuclear arms control; Prompt-gamma activation analysis
Citation Formats
Göttsche, Malte, Schirm, Janet, and Glaser, Alexander. Low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for an information barrier based on a multi-criteria template-matching approach. United States: N. p., 2016.
Web. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2016.10.013.
Göttsche, Malte, Schirm, Janet, & Glaser, Alexander. Low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for an information barrier based on a multi-criteria template-matching approach. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2016.10.013
Göttsche, Malte, Schirm, Janet, and Glaser, Alexander. 2016.
"Low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for an information barrier based on a multi-criteria template-matching approach". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2016.10.013. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1367883.
@article{osti_1367883,
title = {Low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for an information barrier based on a multi-criteria template-matching approach},
author = {Göttsche, Malte and Schirm, Janet and Glaser, Alexander},
abstractNote = {Gamma-ray spectrometry has been successfully employed to identify unique items containing special nuclear materials. Template information barriers have been developed in the past to confirm items as warheads by comparing their gamma signature to the signature of true warheads. Their development has, however, not been fully transparent, and they may not be sensitive to some relevant evasion scenarios. Here, we develop a fully open template information barrier concept, based on low-resolution measurements, which, by design, reduces the extent of revealed sensitive information. The concept is based on three signatures of an item to be compared to a recorded template. The similarity of the spectrum is assessed by a modification of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to confirm the isotopic composition. The total gamma count rate must agree with the template as a measure of the projected surface of the object. In order to detect the diversion of fissile material from the interior of an item, a polyethylene mask is placed in front of the detector. Neutrons from spontaneous and induced fission events in the item produce 2.223 MeV gamma rays from neutron capture by hydrogen-1 in the mask. This peak is detected and its intensity scales with the item's fissile mass. This analysis is based on MCNP Monte Carlo simulations of various plutonium configurations suggests that this concept can distinguish a valid item from a variety of invalid ones. The concept intentionally avoids any assumptions about specific spectral features, such as looking for specific gamma peaks of specific isotopes, thereby facilitating a fully unclassified discussion. Finally, by making all aspects public and allowing interested participants to contribute to the development and benchmarking, we enable a more open and inclusive discourse on this matter.},
doi = {10.1016/j.nima.2016.10.013},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1367883},
journal = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment},
issn = {0168-9002},
number = C,
volume = 840,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Sat Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}
Web of Science
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