Tagging and fissile material verification concepts for nuclear warhead dismantlement
Arms control treaties that reduce the number of deployable nuclear-warhead delivery systems might also lead to provisions for the verified dismantlement of nuclear weapons. Based on public information and very simple conceptual models of nuclear warheads, one can visualize a set of procedural and technological requirements to account for warheads removed from deployed sites and ultimately dismantled. To accomplish the accounting function, verification-quality tags and/or seals might be needed in order that the warheads taken out of storage can be tracked to the dismantlement site. These tags/seals would represent an overlay on the existing chain of custody. The verified dismantlement of the warheads poses special problems in confirming their identity and in avoiding the loss of sensitive information. A central factor is the publicly recognized need for some minimum quantity of fissile material to constitute a nuclear warhead. A measurement system that could make such a determination without giving away unnecessary information would be desired. Some approaches based on existing fissile assay methods are discussed. 1 ref., 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/DP
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 7025985
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9007106-20; ON: DE90013653
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Institute of nuclear materials management conference, Los Angeles, CA (USA), 15-18 Jul 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ARMS CONTROL
VERIFICATION
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
DETECTION
ACCURACY
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
FISSILE MATERIALS
HODOSCOPES
INSPECTION
MEASURING METHODS
MONITORING
NATIONAL SECURITY
SECURITY SEALS
STANDARDS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TOXIC MATERIALS
TREATIES
EXPLOSIVES
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
MATERIALS
PHYSICAL PROTECTION DEVICES
SEALS
SECURITY
WEAPONS
350300* - Arms Control- Verification- (1987-)
440103 - Radiation Instrumentation- Nuclear Spectroscopic Instrumentation