Technological maturity and the control of the dangers associated with nuclear materials
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 969, Livermore, Califomia 94551 (United States)
The underlying concern associated with both vertical and horizontal proliferation is that a nuclear device might be used. Beyond intended use directed by legitimate authorities, an undesirable event could occur due to failures of safety, security, or command and control systems. The principal objective of nuclear weapons arms control and disarmament agreements is to reduce the probability of an unintentional or illegitimate nuclear event, and eventually to eliminate the possibility of any use by eliminating the devices and material. This paper briefly examines some of the technologies required to support the reduction of nuclear fears. The paper proposes approaches for increasing assurance that weapons and fissile material are under legitimate control and secure. The technologies of interest in this paper can be divided into two categories: (1) disarmament technologies supporting the deactivation and eventual disposal of nuclear weapons and weapons usable material, and (2) control technologies supporting that nuclear weapons and materials are safe, secure and can only be used when authorized by legitimate authorities. Clearly, the categorization is not mutually exclusive. Control technologies focus on access to systems or materials or the functioning of a component or device. Disarmament technologies focus on removal of critical elements making the system inoperable, and the destruction and disposal of devices and materials. The paper presents architectures that, in the near term, would reduce the dangers associated with nuclear weapons and fissile materials. The emphasis is on the surety of nuclear devices and material rather than disarmament.
- Research Organization:
- American Nuclear Society - ANS, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 23142283
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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