Potential Retrospective Uranium Enrichment Determination 4 Using Solid State Dosimetry Techniques on Ubiquitous Building Materials

Recent research has shown how nuclear materials can be imaged and characterized retrospectively using thermoluminescence, optically stimulated luminescence,1 and/or electron paramagnetic resonance of insulating materials such as quartz in brick or other ceramics. The technology effectively places a gamma camera in every kitchen (based on an array of ceramic coffee cups). It similarly places a low-resolution gamma spectrometer in every bathroom (requiring measuring dose depth profiles into porcelain fixtures). Large regional arrays exist in the form of telephone pole insulators, and the list could just keep growing from there. What this work specifically focuses on is the potential to carry out retrospective assay of UF6 regarding historical enrichment levels. With proof of retrospective assay and characterization now being demonstrated, this important question as to whether we can reconstruct historical uranium enrichment levels at a nuclear facility becomes viable. As a proof of concept, this paper reviews the technology and the theory that would allow for such a measurement capability in cases where UF6 canisters have been used only once and have been allowed to sit unmolested for many months.