Nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) is a photon-based active interrogation approach that provides isotope-specific signatures that can be used to detect and characterize samples. Photon energies are in the range of a few MeV, so that penetration through significant material is possible. Unlike other active interrogation techniques that are based on inducing fission, NRF is sensitive to a wide range of isotopes: for example 11B, 12C, 13C, 14N, 16O, 27Al, 208Pb, 235U, 238U and 239Pu just to name a few. NRF is most likely to outperform existing technologies for applications requiring isotopic information of sealed samples. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is conducting a review of potential applications that could be addressed by NRF techniques. These applications cover a wide range of topics, from geo-location, to material assay, to safeguarding the nuclear fuel cycle. The objective of the project is to search for potential applications, define technical requirements, identify physical limitations, conduct an initial assessment of the technique and design a research approach for developing the applications. In this report, our current progress on will be presented.
Revised: April 20, 2010 |
Published: June 15, 2009
Citation
Warren G.A., J.A. Caggiano, and P.N. Peplowski. 2009.Potential Applications of Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence. In International Conference on Applications of Nuclear Techniques: AIP Conference Proceedings, edited by K Baharuth-Ram, 1194, 106-119. Melville, New York:American Institute of Physics.PNNL-SA-66928.doi:10.1063/1.3275653