Time-Dependent Coincidence Method to Measure Plutonium Mass and Multiplication

Conference · Mon Dec 17 04:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:793419

Mattingly, J. K. ^[1]; Neal, J. S. ^[1]; Mihalczo, J. T. ^[1]

---

1. Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Future nuclear disarmament agreements between nations may require technical measures to ascertain each participating nation's adherence to the agreement. Almost certainly, measurement technologies and analytical methods will have to be developed by the participating nations jointly. In this way each participant has both confidence in the technology's efficacy and trust in its implementation. With the support of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Nonproliferation Policy (NNSA NA-241), the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics (VNIIEF) have taken first steps to jointly develop and implement a radiation measurement technique to inspect plutonium. In June and July 2000, personnel from ORNL and VNIIEF performed joint experiments on unclassified plutonium metal (Δ-phase, 1.77%-²⁴⁰Pu) spherical shells at VNIIEF facilities in Sarov, Russia. The measurements were performed using the Nuclear Materials Identification System (NMIS). The subsequent analysis demonstrates how NMIS can be applied to passively measure the mass and multiplication of plutonium spherical shells.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Programs (DP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22800
• OSTI ID: 793419
• Report Number(s): Y/LB--16,121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
COINCIDENCE METHODS
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
IMPLEMENTATION
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Nuclear Materials Identification System (NMIS)
ORNL
PERSONNEL
PHYSICS
PLUTONIUM
RADIATIONS
SECURITY
VNIIEF