In May, the Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives (NSSPI) conducted a Workshop on Gamma Spectrometry for National Security with the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence Office (NNSA-NSDD), which is part of the US Department of Energy. The workshop participants were experts from Jordan working for the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission and the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission.
The team of US experts that served as SMEs and instructors for the course included NSSPI Deputy Director Dr. Craig Marianno, Dr. William Geist, Dr. David Mercer, and Dr. Jessica Woods of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Dr. Derek McLain of Argonne National Laboratory, and Dr. William Johnson of Sandia National Laboratories. The focus of the course was to familiarize participants with different types of software and techniques for analyzing nuclear and radiological materials and to provide hands-on experiences with both laboratory and field radiation detection equipment. The workshop covered advanced topics in nuclide identification, including isotopic composition measurements and gamma spectrum analysis. Participants applied these skills during capstone exercises that combined radiation source searches in the realistic training environment of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Agency’s Disaster City facility with laboratory analysis of the collected data.
One participant remarked, “The course was distinguished, and I benefited greatly from the theoretical and practical material. I also learned how to use software tools and devices for detecting radiation and radioactive materials.”
The event concluded with participants giving presentations on their capstone findings in their teams and receiving certificates of completion.
“This was a great event,” said Marianno, “All the participants were a pleasure to work with, and I think everyone learned a great deal.” Dr. Marianno and his student researchers conduct several field detection exercises at Disaster City each year.
This workshop was funded by NNSA-NSDD, whose mission is to prevent nuclear and radiological terrorism by detecting, deterring, and investigating the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials. The NSDD Office works internationally to develop and deploy capabilities, technologies, and strategies aimed at identifying and stopping the smuggling of nuclear materials that could be used for illicit purposes, such as in the creation of nuclear weapons or radiological dispersal devices.
