Retrospective dosimetry for nuclear security using ubiquitous materials

One of the current challenges in nuclear security is that radiation detection instrumentation requires direct access to the radioactive source of interest. In nonproliferation applications the source may not be present at the time of inspection. The electronic properties of many materials store a permanent record of their radiation histories. As a result, ubiquitous materials can be used to retrospectively characterize radiation fields by quantifying the trapped electrons. An experimental exposure of brick and tile material was carried out at the former Nevada Test Site's Device Assembly Facility. This work outlines the techniques that will be used to both locate and assay an unknown source using luminescence studies.

This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0002576. This work partially paid for by Nuclear Regulatory Commission Grant NRC-HQ-84-14-G-0059. Additional support was through a joint faculty appointment between North Carolina State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in coordination with the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D of the National Nuclear Security Administration sponsored Consortium for Nonproliferation Enabling Capabilities (CNEC).