A Primer on the Detection of Nuclear and Radiological Weapons

Abstract : The detection of materials or devices for nuclear or radiological weapons of mass destruction (NRWMD) is fundamentally important to both homeland security and to military operations. Detection technologies are necessary both to find and to verify the location of materials, components, and systems for NRWMD. They are also central to actions taken after deployment of a NRWMD. The study upon which this report is based was undertaken because of the large and growing importance of detection technologies for NRWMD. While this report will focus on detection of NRWMD, the NRWMD problem does not have a purely technical solution. The reasons for this will become clear in this report. Detectors are necessary but not sufficient for dealing with this problem. This report seeks to be pragmatically comprehensive in its coverage. It takes a level intermediate between policy, on one hand, and technology details, on the other hand. The goal is to provide part of the basis for higher level policy considerations, as well as a framework for lower level, more detailed technical concerns.

[1]  Cheryl Loeb,et al.  Dirty Bombs, The Threat Revisited , 2004 .

[2]  M. Berger,et al.  NISTホームページ, Stopping-Power and Range Tables for Electrons, Protons, and Helium Ions , 2008 .

[3]  R. Brodzinski,et al.  A well logging technique for the in situ determination of 90Sr , 1980 .

[4]  Samuel Glasstone,et al.  The Effects of Nuclear Weapons , 1952 .

[5]  J. C. Mark,et al.  Explosive Properties of Reactor-Grade Plutonium , 2009 .

[6]  Peter J. Sharfman,et al.  The Effects of Nuclear War , 1984 .

[7]  An overview of non-traditional nuclear threats , 2005 .

[8]  R. Klann,et al.  Design considerations for thin film coated semiconductor thermal neutron detectors—I: basics regarding alpha particle emitting neutron reactive films , 2003 .

[9]  Richard B. Firestone,et al.  Table of Radioactive Isotopes , 1986 .

[10]  Scott M. Nichelson.  Radiological Weapons of Terror , 2012 .

[11]  B. Schwarzschild.  Cosmic-Ray Muons Might Help Thwart Transport of Concealed Fissile Material , 2003 .

[12]  J. Glodo,et al.  High energy resolution scintillation spectrometers , 2003, 2003 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium. Conference Record (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37515).

[13]  Vorobtsova Ie.  Genetic and somatic effects of ionizing radiation in humans and animals (comparative aspect) , 2002 .

[14]  H.W. Kraner,et al.  Radiation detection and measurement , 1981, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[15]  F. H. Attix,et al.  Attenuation measurements of a fast neutron radiotherapy beam. , 1976, Physics in medicine and biology.

[16]  High energy resolution scintillation spectrometers , 2003 .

[17]  Charles D. Ferguson,et al.  Commercial Radioactive Sources: Surveying the Security Risks , 2003 .

[18]  Konstantin N. Borozdin,et al.  Surveillance: Radiographic imaging with cosmic-ray muons , 2003, Nature.

[19]  S. Pearlstein.  EVALUATED NUCLEAR DATA FILES , 1975 .