Nuclear Forensics Research in China Zhao Yonggang The 13th PIIC Beijing Seminar on International Security: Building a World of Sustainable Peace and Stability November 1-2, 2012 Beijing, China
Main Content Foreword National Legal Requirements to R&D of Nuclear Forensics Technical Research on Nuclear Forensics in China Technical Application and Exchange Summary RCD Department of Radiochemistry
Foreword NPT plays an important role in preventing nuclear material and techniques from proliferation; Nuclear export control regimes are further strengthened globally; Nuclear material smugglings increased since 1990 s. Global securities are confronted with potential threat from nuclear terrorism. RCD Department of Radiochemistry
Foreword Nuclear forensics is a measure for identification the origin of nuclear materials in illicit trafficking; It could also be used to reconstruct the nuclear device after a possible nuclear explosion. On the basis of ideal procedure of nuclear forensic investigation and attribution, the participators, the organizers and the supporters of the nuclear events could be found out theoretically. Nuclear forensics is deterrent measure for discouraging nuclear terrorism.
National Legal Requirements to R&D of Nuclear Forensics Criminal law The Trial Regulations on Transit of Nuclear Products Regulations on Nuclear Export Control Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material Regulations on Nuclear Material control Implementing Rules for Regulations on Nuclear Material Control Medical Treatment Specifications for Radiation Injury Regulations on Transportation Security of Radioactive Goods
Illicit trafficking General Workflow of Investigation to Intercepted Nuclear Samples sample Intercepted Police Office Nuclear material C/S, protection investigation Contamination, Dose measurement Public psychological intervention Technical section Environmental protection section On site analysis RCD Department of Radiochemistry... transit escort in licensed transportation
General Workflow of Investigation to Intercepted Nuclear Samples RCD Department of Radiochemistry Sample receiving Safe and security section Authorized Analytical Lab Nuclear material Contamination Dose measurement unpacking Nuclear forensic investigation Glove box report CAEA Police office criminal investigation Illicit trafficking
Technical Research on Nuclear Forensics in China RCD Department of Radiochemistry China has a good technical basis and long history on the research of radiological material analysis. Some research institutes in China, such as CIAE, CAEP, NINT, have interests to develop nuclear forensic methodologies since 2000.
Related Works Numerical simulation Morphology of nuclear material Age-dating of nuclear material Impurities of uranium ore concentrate Isotopic composition Preparation for National Nuclear Forensics Database
Numerical Simulation 0.25 154 钆 / 158 钆 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 沸水堆 (3.4%) 压水堆 (3.4%) 沸水堆 (4.2%) 压水堆 (4.2%) 245 锔 / 242 钚 0.030 0.025 0.020 0.015 0.010 沸水堆 (3.4%) 沸水堆 (3.4%) 沸水堆 (4.2%) 压水堆 (4.2%) 0.00 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 燃耗 ( 兆瓦天 / 公斤重金属 ) 0.005 0.000 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 燃耗 ( 兆瓦天 / 公斤重金属 )
Morphology of Nuclear Material SEM Fluorescence spectrometer Atlas of morphological characteristics of uranium particles
Uranium age : Age-dating of Nuclear Material Method 234 U/ 230 Th 235 U/ 231 Pa 234 U/ 214 Bi SD(>20year HEU) < 2.5% < 10% < 5% Plutonium age : 241 Am/ 241 Pu : 240 Pu/ 236 U : MC-ICP-MS, α Spectrometer, liquid scintillation spectrometer MC-ICP-MS
Impurities of Uranium Ore Concentrate ng/ml 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 Na 2 U 2 O 7 U 3 O 8 (NH 4 ) 2 U 2 O 7 10000 5000 0 Co La Nd Fe Hg Na Mg Al Ca Mo
Isotopic composition Uranium isotopic ratio: 234 U, 235 U, 236 U and 238 U MC-ICP-MS, SIMS, TIMS Oxygen isotopic ratio: SIMS, TIMS
Preparation for National Nuclear Forensics Database Setting up of framework of nuclear forensics database; Collecting and cataloging the material and data; Establishing criteria and enhancing the capability Domestic exercise and analytical capability intercomparison on nuclear forensics RCD Department of Radiochemistry
International Cooperation and Technical Exchange CISAC/CISGAC meeting IAEA s technical consultancy meeting IAEA s regional workshop on nuclear forensics RCD Department of Radiochemistry
Case Study Radiation level Macrocosmic features Isotopes 0.05 µsv/h Cylinder, Chamfer, Central Axial hole Height 10.96mm O.D. 7.56mm I.D. 2.36mm Surface Smooth and Porosity An intercepted samples Microcosmic features Impurities
Case Study (Cont.) Radiation level Macrocosmic features Isotopes An intercepted sample Microcosmic features Impurities
Qualitative Analysis of suspected Samples RCD Department of Radiochemistry
Summary Nuclear forensics should be based on national legal requirements; Nuclear forensic investigation is a complicated process where various methods could be applied; Establishment of database is a key step for implementation of nuclear forensics; Chinese researchers did a lot in nuclear forensics and like to promote the cooperation in the field.