Linear Regression and Machine Learning for Nuclear Forensics of Spent Fuel from Six Types of Nuclear Reactors

Chen, Shengli; Wang, Tianxiang; Zhang, Zhong; Li, Runfeng; Yuan, Shuai; Zhang, Ruiyi; Yuan, Cenxi; Zhang, Chunyu; Zhu, Jianyu

doi:10.1103/physrevapplied.19.034028

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…For example, in the IAEA database, the majority of the reported incidences involve trafficking of a small quantity of fissile or other radioactive materials, raising concerns about the spreading of radioactivity in the environment. Nuclear forensics, a multidisciplinary branch of analytical science, can play a key role in strengthening safeguard capabilities and ensuring global nuclear security by deterring diversion incidences, even in very small quantities, and providing sufficient evidence on the origin and intended purposes in case of a seizure, that may be useful for legal proceedings. − With the advent of advanced analytical methodologies and improved computational capabilities, the branch of nuclear forensics has witnessed rapid development in the recent past and has been able to solve challenging forensic problems using experiments and artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques. − …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interrogating a Mixed Actinide Basket Using High-Resolution γ-Ray Spectrometry: A Nuclear Forensic Perspective on Possible Smuggling Scenarios

Patra,

Mani,

Kumar

et al. 2024

Anal. Chem.

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The total fissile content in seized nuclear materials is of immense importance and needs to be estimated with reasonable accuracy as a part of nuclear forensics for early decisionmaking in legal proceedings. High-resolution γ-ray spectrometry (HRGRS), because of its nondestructive nature, is a powerful tool for the assay of such samples to reach a quick "on-site" decision on the severity, intended use, and associated radiological threat. If the seized package contains fissile isotopes of more than one actinide in a multicompartmental heterogeneous mixture, analogous to the most likely scenario of a "smuggled mixed actinide basket", its "onsite" quantification can be extremely challenging. This makes up an increasing share of the absolute HRGRS in nuclear forensics and demands for fundamentally new approaches. In the present work, the challenges associated with varying attenuation experienced by γ-rays of different actinides at different subcontainments of the heterogeneous sample matrix have been addressed by an iterative efficiency transfer approach from "point" to "extended" source for individual actinides and demonstrated for the assay of four mock-up samples and a legacy packet, mimicking seized packages containing nuclear materials. An absolute isotopic inventory of the fissile and other radioisotopes has been obtained within <10% along with the assay of total U and Pu within <3% of the expected values with measurement uncertainty <10% for the majority. The present approach has a good potential for "on-site" nuclear forensics in nuclear smuggling scenarios and also can be adapted easily for a wide variety of other applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interrogating a Mixed Actinide Basket Using High-Resolution γ-Ray Spectrometry: A Nuclear Forensic Perspective on Possible Smuggling Scenarios

Patra,

Mani,

Kumar

et al. 2024

Anal. Chem.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…nternational authorities want to identify the origins of illicit nuclear materials, of which spent fuel from nuclear reactors is an important source. Researchers in China have now developed a set of data manipulations that-given some measurements from an unknown sample-can reliably identify the type of reactor, the level of uranium-235 enrichment, and the exposure time that the fuel experienced in the reactor [1]. Most previous techniques have been based on simulations of the effects of a reactor on nuclear material, and their accuracy was unknown.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%