NUCLEAR FORENSICS – TECHNIQUES FOR CHARACTERIZATION (EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR TECHNIQUE USE)
Keywords:
nuclear forensics, gamma spectrometry, dosimetry, analytical techniquesAbstract
Purpose: Nuclear forensics presents the examination of nuclear and other radioactive materials using different analytical techniques to determine the material origin. The most commonly used methods in nuclear forensics are high resolution gamma spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and dosimetry. Their application enables the answer to the unauthorized use of these materials. Radiological technique can be used for surface contamination or dose rate determination. For isotopic analysis, gamma spectrometry as a non-destructive method of nuclear forensics is used. On the other hand, alpha spectrometry as a destructive method requires the application of radiochemical preparation. Measurement of gross alpha/beta activity is also a nuclear technique that can be used to determine the presence of alpha or beta emitters, as a screening method. Other techniques imply Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Portable X-ray Fluorescence (FP-XRF) Spectroscopy, etc. Design/Methods/Approach: In this paper, a description of the methods used in nuclear forensics has been described, including a literature review. Special emphasis is placed on gamma spectrometry and dose rate measurements. Findings: Gross alpha/beta measuring represents screening technique which identifies the presence of gross alpha or beta emitters without the possibility of identifying individual radionuclides. Gamma spectrometry does not require special sample preparation and it is not time-consuming compared with alpha spectrometry, where radiochemical preparation is necessary.
Originality/Value: In this paper, dosimetric measurement which is carried out by controlling the radioactivity of goods during import, export and transit at border crossing has been described. Radioactivity control is based on measurements performed by authorized legal persons and involves measurements of dose rate of ionizing radiation from the goods and examination of samples by gamma spectrometric method.
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