Potential for Production of Proliferation Sensitive Materials in Research Reactors

The issue of misuse of research reactors for the production of proliferation sensitive materials has been a matter of longstanding interest to the IAEA. Most attention has focussed on the potential for unreported production of plutonium via the irradiation of uranium targets. However, the potential for the production of other proliferation sensitive materials such as tritium and polonium-210 is also of concern and is currently being examined by the IAEA. This paper looks at the potential for the undeclared production of tritium and Po-210 in research reactors and implications in terms of the IAEA’s safeguards approaches.