Did You Know?

Nuclear forensics addresses diverse topics related to collecting, analyzing, and evaluating radiological and nuclear materials, devices, and debris. It is crucial to nuclear deterrence.

Opportunity

The U.S. government must have subject matter experts in nuclear forensics to investigate nuclear and radiological materials outside of regulatory control, and to support global nuclear forensics capacity building.

Solution

Pre-detonation nuclear forensics: Argonne conducts physical, chemical, and isotopic analysis of radiological and nuclear materials to provide investigative leads into material provenance.

Post-detonation nuclear forensics: Argonne explores novel methods of and advances in collecting samples, analyzing radioactive debris, and identifying signatures using debris analysis.

Results

Argonne developed and maintains the Radiological Sealed Source Library, the world’s most comprehensive dataset on radiological sealed sources and devices. This library is the radiological materials component of the U.S. National Nuclear Forensics Library infrastructure.

Argonne also supports the interagency Ground Collections Task Force, which is tasked with collecting ground debris following nuclear detonation. Argonne can provide the task force six staff who are experts in collecting and analyzing nuclear debris, as well as in managing task force operations.