Beyond Detection: Tracing the Origin of Radioactive and Nuclear Material

Transcription

1 JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 1 Beyond Detection: Tracing the Origin of Radioactive and Nuclear Material Questions: 1. How did the material get there? 2. Origin of the material? 3. Intended use of the material? 4. Age of the material?

2 JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 3 Atomic Detectives at Work: Providing Clues on the Origin of Seized Nuclear Material Klaus Mayer, Maria Wallenius, Erich Hrnecek, Thierry Wiss Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) Karlsruhe, Germany Klaus.Mayer@ec.europa.eu

3 Contents JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 4 Introduction Response Examples Uranium detected at Rotterdam Uranium from the German nuclear program during WW II Sustainability in Nuclear Security Training International Cooperation

4 Nuclear forensics JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 5 Illicit Trafficking (all types) incidents (source: IAEA)

5 Response to illicit trafficking JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 6 Detection Nuclear Material (U, Pu, reactor or weapons grade) or other radioactive material ( 60 Co, 137 Cs, 192 Ir, ) Categorization Detection equipment, intelligence Nuclear Forensics Source Attribution

6 Latest Case: Rotterdam -Chronology JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 7 Oct./Nov Mid Jan January February February 2009 Material detected in two incidents Preliminary enrichment measurement Secondary analysis in national lab. Sampling under IAEA/ITU supervision Sample arrival at ITU First results confirm 235 U enrichments of 4% and 16% Investigation ongoing

7 Unique case of Science History JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 8 Uranium metal cube What information does the material contain? 180 mg Uranium metal plate Production date Production Process Intended use Material history

8 JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 9 Analytical Methods taken from: Safeguards Material Science Isotope Geology requires reference data Nuclear Forensics Methodology Data Isotopic Composition Elemental Composition Impurities Macroscopic appearance Microstructure Decay Products Information self-explaining Place of Production Last Legal Owner Smuggling Route Age Intended Use Production Mode

9 A case of Science History JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 10 Parameters Investigated Isotopic Composition Elemental Composition Impurities Geometry Decay Products Information Obtained Geographic origin Irradiation History Production Process Reactor Design Production Date

10 The Results in Detail JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 11 Production Date Reactor Design Metal cube September 1943 Metal plate August 1940

11 The Results in Detail JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 12 Production Process Irradiation History Metal cube Metal plate High calcium impurities point at reduction of oxide to metal using calcium Impurities suggest the use of Joachimsthal ore as base material Natural uranium No detectable fission products suggest small number of fissions during the experiments

12 The Results in Detail JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 13 Metal cube Metal plate Illustration of Nuclear Forensics Methodology Experimental Evidence from authentic material of Germany s WW II nuclear program

13 Atomic Detectives JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 14 Training Increasing awareness Helping preparedness Establishing a European Nuclear Security Training Centre Based on experience and recognizing the needs Dissemination of security culture major investment Based at ITU (Karlsruhe) and IPSC (Ispra)

14 Atomic Detectives JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 15 Nuclear forensics methodologies applied in Combating illicit trafficking Non-proliferation Fighting nuclear terrorism International Cooperation in Nuclear Security Cooperation Agreement JRC CEA (signed ) Cooperation Agreement ITU LLNL (to be signed spring 2009) Cooperation Agreement JRC IAEA (to be signed 2009)

15 Atomic Detectives - Summary JRC-ITU Karlsruhe 19 March 2009 Nuclear Security 16 Nuclear forensics Discipline between science, law enforcement, Uses systematic approach for analysis and attribution Provides clues on the origin of the material Assures sustainability in combating illicit trafficking Calls for International Co-operation