| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1824613 | Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment | 2011 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
On-Site Inspection (OSI) is a key component of the verification regime for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Measurements of radionuclide isotopes created by an underground nuclear explosion are a valuable signature of a Treaty violation. Argon-37 is produced by neutron interaction with calcium in soil, 40Ca(n,α)37Ar. For OSI, the 35-day half-life of 37Ar provides both high specific activity and sufficient time for completion of an inspection before decay limits sensitivity. This paper presents a low-background internal-source gas proportional counter with an 37Ar measurement sensitivity level equivalent to 45 mBq/SCM in wholeair.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physics and Astronomy
Instrumentation
Authors
C.E. Aalseth, A.R. Day, D.A. Haas, E.W. Hoppe, B.J. Hyronimus, M.E. Keillor, E.K. Mace, J.L. Orrell, A. Seifert, V.T. Woods,