A confirmatory measurement technique for HEU (highly enriched uranium)

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5723319

Sprinkle, Jr, J K; Goldman, A; Russo, P A; Stovall, L; Brumfield, T L; Gunn, C S; Watson, D R; Beedgen, R

Precise measurements of the special nuclear material (SNM) in an item can be used to confirm that the item has not been tampered with. These measurements do not require a highly accurate calibration, but they should be based on an attribute that is unique to the SNM. We describe an instrument that performs gamma-ray measurements at three energies: 185.7 keV, 1001 keV, and 2614 keV. This instrument collects data for 200 s from shipping containers (208-l barrels). These measurements help to distinguish the issue of material control - Has any material been diverted. - from the issue of measurement control - Is there a measurement bias.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (USA); Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe G.m.b.H. (Germany, F.R.)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5723319
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-87-3839; CONF-871110-17; ON: DE88003166
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

055001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability-- Technical Aspects
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACCOUNTING
ACTINIDES
DETECTION
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA SPECTRA
HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NAI DETECTORS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
SAFEGUARDS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SOLID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
SPECTRA
URANIUM