Abstract

In the unlikely but catastrophic event of a nuclear terrorist attack our government leadership will need reliable information to rapidly inform critical decisions. This research explores the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a potential analysis tool in the National Technical Nuclear Forensics process. The current state of post detonation nuclear forensics requires ground and air samples be collected and shipped to state-of-the-art laboratories for radiochemical analysis. The samples undergo many measurements and useable data is produced as these measurements are completed. This data flows back into the process to guide additional measurements and inform the process of narrowing down the origin of the nuclear materials. This is a time-consuming process in need of new analytical methods that can be performed in situ. It is clear that LIBS will not be able to perform all of the measurements needed but the intent of this project is to explore where a LIBS system deployed with a ground collection team could provide meaningful data more quickly than the traditional radiochemistry processes. My research will include calibrating and optimizing LIBS system at the United States Military Academy and conducting analysis of Trinitite (glass like debris from the first nuclear weapon test) and a surrogate material produced by University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The intent of the surrogate material is to be used during post-detonation nuclear forensics exercises. The analysis will include optimizing collection parameters for the glass-like samples, comparison of key constituents in Trinitite and the surrogate material, and characterizing the effects of sample non-homogeneity.

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Mar 1st, 12:00 AM Mar 1st, 12:00 AM

Exploring Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Post-Detonation Nuclear Forensics Debris Analysis

In the unlikely but catastrophic event of a nuclear terrorist attack our government leadership will need reliable information to rapidly inform critical decisions. This research explores the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a potential analysis tool in the National Technical Nuclear Forensics process. The current state of post detonation nuclear forensics requires ground and air samples be collected and shipped to state-of-the-art laboratories for radiochemical analysis. The samples undergo many measurements and useable data is produced as these measurements are completed. This data flows back into the process to guide additional measurements and inform the process of narrowing down the origin of the nuclear materials. This is a time-consuming process in need of new analytical methods that can be performed in situ. It is clear that LIBS will not be able to perform all of the measurements needed but the intent of this project is to explore where a LIBS system deployed with a ground collection team could provide meaningful data more quickly than the traditional radiochemistry processes. My research will include calibrating and optimizing LIBS system at the United States Military Academy and conducting analysis of Trinitite (glass like debris from the first nuclear weapon test) and a surrogate material produced by University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The intent of the surrogate material is to be used during post-detonation nuclear forensics exercises. The analysis will include optimizing collection parameters for the glass-like samples, comparison of key constituents in Trinitite and the surrogate material, and characterizing the effects of sample non-homogeneity.