Nuclear forensic analysis

This book provides a primary reference source for nuclear forensic science, including the vastly disciplinary nature of the overall endeavor for questioned weapons of mass-destruction specimens. Nothing like this exists even in the classified material. For the first time, the fundamental principles of radioforensic analysis, all pertinent protocols and procedures, computer modeling development, interpretational insights, and attribution considerations are consolidated into one convenient source. The principles and techniques so developed are then demonstrated and discussed in their applications to real-world investigations and casework conducted over the past several years.

1 Introduction	p. 1
1.1 Nuclear Materials	p. 2
1.2 Nuclear Power and Pu Production	p. 4
1.3 Nuclear Weapons and the Cold War	p. 5
1.4 Nuclear Treaties and Nonproliferation Programs	p. 6
1.5 SNM Disposition	p. 8
1.6 Nuclear Proliferation and Terrorism	p. 9
1.7 Nuclear Smuggling	p. 11
1.8 Forensic Goals	p. 13
References	p. 14
2 Physical Basis of Nuclear Forensic Science	p. 17
2.1 Background	p. 17
2.2 Types of Radioactive Decay	p. 23
2.3 Rate Laws in Radioactive Decay	p. 27
2.4 Atoms, Binding Energy, and Chart of the Nuclides	p. 31
2.5 Nuclear Structure, Isomerism, and Selection Rules	p. 42
2.6 Nuclear Reactions	p. 56
2.7 Natural Radioactivity	p. 67
2.8 Fission, Barrier Penetration, and Energy Production	p. 72
References	p. 84
3 Engineering Issues	p. 89
3.1 Natural versus Synthetic Materials	p. 89
3.2 Recovery of Actinides from the Earth	p. 90
3.3 Separation and Enrichment of U Isotopes	p. 95
3.3.1 Electromagnetic Isotope Separation	p. 98
3.3.2 Gaseous Diffusion	p. 100
3.3.3 Thermal Diffusion	p. 108
3.3.4 Gas Centrifugation	p. 109
3.3.5 Aerodynamic Enrichment	p. 114
3.3.6 Laser Isotope Separation	p. 116
3.3.7 Isotope Enrichment Through Chemical Exchange	p. 118
3.4 Nuclear Reactors, Power, and the Production of Pu and [superscript 233]U	p. 119
3.5 Recovery and Purification of Heavy Elements from Reactor Products	p. 153
3.6 Heavy-Element Metals and Alloys	p. 162
3.7 Summary	p. 169
References	p. 170
4 Chemistry and Nuclear Forensic Science	p. 175
4.1 Tracers in Inorganic Analysis	p. 175
4.2 Relevant Chemical Properties	p. 181
References	p. 191
5 Principles of Nuclear Explosive Devices	p. 193
5.1 One-Stage Fission Explosive (Atomic Bomb)	p. 193
5.2 Boosting	p. 199
5.3 Two-Stage Nuclear Explosive (Hydrogen Bomb)	p. 202
5.4 Forensic Analysis of Nuclear-Explosive Debris	p. 203
References	p. 206
6 Chronometry	p. 207
6.1 Heavy Elements and Fission-Product Chronometers	p. 207
6.2 Granddaughters and Spoof Detection	p. 236
6.3 Detection of Incomplete Fuel Reprocessing	p. 237
References	p. 240
7 Techniques for Small Signatures	p. 241
7.1 Chemical Separations and Reduction of Background	p. 241
7.2 Radiochemical Milking	p. 245
7.3 Mass Spectrometry and Microanalysis	p. 249
7.4 Radiation Detection	p. 250
7.4.1 Interaction of Radiation with Matter	p. 250
7.4.2 Decay Characteristics	p. 251
7.4.3 Gas-Phase Detectors	p. 256
7.4.4 Solid-State Detectors	p. 263
7.4.5 Scintillation Detectors	p. 269
7.4.6 Empirical Application and Spectra	p. 273
References	p. 279
8 Collateral Forensic Indicators	p. 281
8.1 Stable Isotopes	p. 281
8.1.1 Lead	p. 281
8.1.2 Oxygen	p. 282
8.2 Inorganic Elements	p. 282
8.3 Organic Analyses	p. 285
8.3.1 High Explosives	p. 285
8.3.2 Hairs and Fibers	p. 286
8.3.3 Inks and Papers	p. 287
8.3.4 Fingerprints	p. 288
8.3.5 Other	p. 288
References	p. 289
9 Sample Matrices and Collection	p. 291
9.1 Soil/Sediment Matrices	p. 291
9.2 Vegetation Matrices	p. 292
9.3 Water Matrix	p. 293
9.4 Fauna Matrices	p. 294
9.5 Other Matrices	p. 294
9.6 Collection Tactics	p. 295
References	p. 297
10 Radiochemical Procedures	p. 299
10.1 Dissolution	p. 299
10.2 Redox	p. 301
10.3 Separations	p. 302
10.4 MS Analysis and Reagent Purity	p. 308
References	p. 309
11 Inorganic/Isotopic Sample Preparation	p. 311
11.1 Alpha Counting	p. 311
11.2 Beta Counting	p. 312
11.3 Gamma Counting	p. 313
11.4 Inorganic Techniques	p. 313
12 Organic Sample Preparation	p. 317
12.1 Extraction	p. 317
12.2 Solid-Phase Microextraction	p. 318
12.3 Derivatization	p. 318
References	p. 319
13 Extraordinary Sample Issues	p. 321
14 Field Collection Kits	p. 323
15 NDA Field Radioactivity Detection	p. 327
References	p. 333
16 Laboratory Analyses	p. 335
16.1 Radiation Counting Systems	p. 335
16.1.1 Counting Lab	p. 335
16.1.2 Counter Shielding and Systems	p. 337
16.1.3 Particle Detection	p. 339
16.1.3.1 Beta-Particle Counters	p. 339
16.1.3.2 Alpha-Particle Counters	p. 339
16.1.3.3 Gamma-Ray Counters	p. 340
16.1.3.4 Neutron Counters	p. 340
16.1.4 Chemistry Lab Application	p. 341
16.2 Tritium Analysis	p. 342
16.3 Imaging and Microscopy	p. 344
16.3.1 Optical Microscopy	p. 345
16.3.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy	p. 345
16.3.3 Transmission Electron Microscopy	p. 346
16.3.4 Electron Microprobe Analysis	p. 347
16.3.5 X-Ray Microanalysis	p. 348
16.3.6 Infrared Spectroscopy	p. 349
16.4 Isotope MS	p. 350
16.4.1 Isotope-Ratio MS	p. 350
16.4.2 Element MS	p. 352
16.4.3 MS and Microanalysis	p. 354
16.5 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry	p. 356
16.6 Capillary Electrophoresis	p. 360
References	p. 361
17 Inferred Production Estimates	p. 367
17.1 Uranium	p. 367
17.2 Plutonium	p. 369
17.3 SNM Stocks	p. 370
17.4 Analysis	p. 372
References	p. 375
18 Materials Fingerprinting	p. 377
18.1 Criminalistics Comparisons	p. 377
18.2 Material Compositions	p. 378
18.3 Calculations	p. 379
References	p. 381
19 Source and Route Attribution	p. 383
19.1 Introduction	p. 383
19.1.1 Source Attribution Questions	p. 384
19.1.2 Route Attribution Questions	p. 385
19.2 Forensic Analysis of Interdicted Nuclear Materials	p. 385
19.3 Laboratory Characterization of Nuclear Materials for Source Data	p. 386
19.4 Laboratory Characterization of Nuclear Materials for Route Data	p. 389
19.5 Prioritization of Forensic Tools for Route Attribution	p. 391
19.6 Analytic Techniques for Nuclear Forensic Interrogation	p. 393
19.6.1 Isotopes	p. 393
19.6.2 Elemental Composition/Major and Trace Elements	p. 394
19.6.3 Organic Species	p. 394
19.6.4 DNA	p. 394
19.6.5 Physical and Structural Characteristics	p. 394
19.7 Geolocation and Route Attribution: Real-World Examples	p. 395
19.7.1 Pb-Isotope Fingerprinting	p. 395
19.7.2 O-Isotope Fingerprinting	p. 395
19.7.3 Other Isotopic Ratios	p. 397
19.8 Reference Data for Enhanced Interpretation	p. 397
References	p. 399
20 Forensic Investigation of a Highly Enriched Uranium Sample Interdicted In Bulgaria	p. 401
20.1 Analyses of Uranium Oxide	p. 403
20.2 Analyses of Collateral Evidence	p. 411
20.2.1 Lead Container	p. 411
20.2.2 Yellow Wax	p. 412
20.2.3 Paper Liner and Label	p. 416
20.2.4 Glass Ampoule	p. 416
20.3 Attribution	p. 417
References	p. 419
21 Counterforensic Investigation of U.S. Enrichment Plants	p. 421
21.1 Background	p. 421
21.2 Sampling	p. 421
21.3 Radiochemistry	p. 423
21.4 Results	p. 430
21.5 Interpretation	p. 430
21.6 Summary	p. 444
References	p. 445
22 Nuclear Smuggling Hoax - D-38 Counterweight	p. 447
22.1 Background and Analyses	p. 447
22.2 Results and Discussion	p. 448
Reference	p. 449
23 Nuclear Smuggling Hoax - Sc Metal	p. 451
23.1 Background and Analyses	p. 451
23.2 Results and Discussion	p. 452
References	p. 452
24 Fatal "Cold Fusion" Explosion	p. 453
24.1 Background and Analyses	p. 453
24.2 Results and Discussion	p. 454
24.3 Commentary	p. 456
References	p. 459
25 Questioned Sample from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency	p. 461
25.1 Background and Nondestructive Analysis	p. 461
25.2 Radiochemistry and Results	p. 463
25.3 Discussion	p. 465
25.4 Summary	p. 472
References	p. 473
Index	p. 475

Available:*

On Order

Summary

Summary

Table of Contents