Novel Detection Technologies for Safeguards and Security Applications

Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station

Novel Detection Technologies for Safeguards and Security Applications

 

Abstract:

Novel detection technologies designed specifically for safeguards and security applications can provide breakthrough solutions for critical nuclear problems. NSSPI researchers have identified interesting new detection approaches which may offer significant performance improvements for certain applications in the safeguards and security arena. Preliminary investigations have shown that acoustic dissipation may be useful for detecting the presence and character of high-density materials (shielding and/or SNM). In addition, properly characterizing detection thresholds between background radiation and heavily-shielded sources could yield a cost-effective detection system targeting smuggled HEU and plutonium. This project will support computational and laboratory experiments to confirm the potential of these novel technologies for detecting and measuring special nuclear material, radioactive sources, and/or their related shielding materials.

Proposed Si-based Neutron Detector Design

Proposed Si-based Neutron Detector Design

 

Associated Publications:

  1. C. Gariazzo, "Developing a Transparent Bilateral System for Accounting and Tracking Special Nuclear Material", 53rd Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, Orlando, Florida, 15-19 July 2012.

  2. C.A. Gariazzo, S.S. Chirayath, "Advancing a Systems Optimization Tool for Monitoring Special Nuclear Material", 52nd Annual Meeting of the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM), Palm Desert, CA, July 17-21, 2011.

  3. C. Gariazzo, S. Chirayath, "Developing a Systems Optimization Tool for Monitoring Special Nuclear Material", 33rd ESARDA Annual Meeting: Symposium on Safeguards and Nuclear Material Management, May 16-20, 2011, Budapest, Hungary.

  4. C. Gariazzo, C. Marianno, D. Cui, X. Cheng, and L. Shao, "A Flexible, Si-Based Neutron Detector for Safeguards Applications", 51st Annual Meeting for the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, Baltimore, Maryland, July 11-15, 2010.

  5. C. Gariazzo and S.S. Chirayath, "Using MCNP as a Vulnerability Assessment Tool on the TAMU Safeguards Laboratory", 51st Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials and Management, Baltimore, MD, USA, July 11-15, 2010.