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Title: Enhancing the Security of TIDs Using OSL

Conference ·
OSTI ID:1562925

Tamper indicating devices (TIDs) such as tags and seals are integral to the safety and security of both equipment and nuclear material. They find prominence in both safeguards and arms control, yet many of the tags and seals in use today have been around for many years, with little or no serious modifications and security updates over their lifetime. There are many very simple changes or additions that can be implemented that will significantly enhance the security and robustness of both tags and seals. Incorporating optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) material is one example. OSL materials have found wide use in the nuclear community, currently in the form of millions of personnel dosimeters. However, the same properties that make it useful for dosimetry, can be utilized as a security feature in tags and seals to provide tamper indication, and potentially unique identification. When OSL materials are interrogated with specific wavelengths of light, they will excite and emit light at different, specific wavelengths. PNNL has undertaken to utilize this unique property of OSL material and incorporate the material into commercially available tags and seals. Currently PNNL is exploring two options; working with a manufacturer to incorporate OSL prior to distribution, or integration into commercially purchased TIDs just prior to use. PNNL is also developing a hand-held reader to interrogate and measure the light emitted from the OSL incorporated tags and seals. This paper discusses the evolution of this endeavor and the progress made to date. As part of this discussion, the success and future use of the idea of incorporating OSL material into tags and seals to enhance security and provide tamper indication will also be provided.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1562925
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-80559
Resource Relation:
Conference: Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management 2011 (INMM 52), July 17-21, 2011, Palm Desert, CA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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