Citation:
J.S. Feener W.S. Charlton, “Initial Results of Nuclear Fluorescence Imaging for Arms Control Verification”, INMM 54th Annual Meeting, 14-18 July 2013, Palm Desert, California, USA.
Abstract:
The initial results from a series of nuclear fluorescence imaging experiments using a variety of uranium metal enrichment standards are given. These experiments were done as part of a proof of concept to determine if nuclear fluorescence imaging is viable for nuclear warhead verification for nuclear arms control treaties such as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT) and the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT). An off-the-shelf Princeton Instruments charged coupled device camera system was used to image the emission of fluorescence photons from the de-excitation of nitrogen molecules in air that have been excited by ionizing radiation. The fluorescence emissions are mainly in the wavelength range between 300 and 400 nm. The aim of the experiments was to determine if the imaging system could differentiate between enrichments of uranium metal specimens. Preliminary results show that differentiation can be made. Camera images, analysis, and results are presented.
Associated Projects:
1. Fluorescence Imaging for Nuclear Arms Control Verification,