Potential of x-ray diffraction for detecting Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs)

G. Harding

doi:10.1117/12.800760

17 September 2008 Potential of x-ray diffraction for detecting Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs)

G. Harding

Proceedings Volume 7080, Penetrating Radiation Systems and Applications IX; 70800K (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800760
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A novel detection technique employing x-ray diffraction (XRD) to screen for Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs), in particular for uranium, is presented. It is based on the interesting fact that uranium (and incidentally, plutonium) has a non-cubic lattice structure, in contrast to all other non-SNM, high-density elements of the Periodic Table. Following a brief review of the cubic crystal structures exhibited by high atomic number species such as lead, the departure from cubicity exhibited by room-temperature uranium (orthorhombic) is discussed and its effect on the uranium XRD pattern is examined. The XRD lines of uranium are compared with those of lead, a common high-Z material found in container traffic. Significant differences are evident arising from their different crystal structures. In order to achieve adequate penetration, both of suspicious high-Z materials and their containers, high photon energies must be used. Physical and technological considerations relevant to performing XRD at 1 MeV are discussed and a novel secondary aperture scheme permitting high-energy XRD is presented. It is concluded that the importance of the application and the prospect of its feasibility are sufficient to warrant experimental verification.

Citation Download Citation

G. Harding "Potential of x-ray diffraction for detecting Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs)", Proc. SPIE 7080, Penetrating Radiation Systems and Applications IX, 70800K (17 September 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800760

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available