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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-12
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 31, No. 3, 2023)
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Ceci N’est Pas Une Bombe: Lessons from a Field Experiment Using Neutron and Gamma Measurements to Confirm the Absence of Nuclear Weapons Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-12 Eric Lepowsky, Manuel Kreutle, Christoph Wirz, Alexander Glaser
In March 2023, the UN Institute for Disarmament Research held a verification experiment that included a mockup onsite inspection at a former military facility in the municipality of Menzingen, Swit...
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Hypersonic Weapons: Vulnerability to Missile Defenses and Comparison to MaRVs Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-12 David Wright, Cameron L. Tracy
Assessing the utility of hypersonic boost glide vehicles (BGVs) requires comparing their capabilities to alternative systems that could carry out the same missions, particularly given the technical...
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Plutonium Production under Uranium Constraint Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-12 Erik Branger, Peter Andersson, Vitaly Fedchenko, Sophie Grape, Cecilia Gustavsson, Robert Kelley, Débora Trombetta
Production rates of fissile materials are often used to independently assess the number of nuclear warheads a state may possess. One key constraint of a plutonium-based nuclear weapons program is t...
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Utilizing a Virtual Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor Digital Twin to Aid in Diversion Pathway Analysis for International Safeguards Applications Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-12 Ryan Stewart, Ashley Shields, Shaw Wen, Frederick Gleicher, Samuel Bays, Mark Schanfein, Jeren Browning, Katherine Jesse, Christopher Ritter
Digital twin technology can improve the effectiveness of international safeguards inspectors by providing a tool that can perform an accurate acquisition pathway analysis, identify pathway indicato...
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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-19
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 31, No. 1-2, 2023)
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Simulating the Passive Neutron and Gamma Signatures of Containerized Nuclear Warheads for Disarmament Verification Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-30 Svenja Sonder, Carina Prünte, Yannick Fischer, Manuel Kreutle, Jan Scheunemann, Gerald Kirchner
Abstract For nuclear disarmament verification, measuring passive neutron and gamma signatures is discussed for confirming the presence of weapons-grade plutonium. Using the Geant4 code, the effects of neutron and photon interactions with the various materials of containerized items are explored for (i) notional fission and thermonuclear warheads waiting for dismantlement, (ii) intentionally shielded
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“Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of the Infrared Emission from a Generic Hypersonic Glide Vehicle”—A Response Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-05-31 Cameron L. Tracy, David Wright
Abstract A recent paper by Candler and Leyva in Science & Global Security comments on our 2020 paper “Modelling the Performance of Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles” analyzing the capabilities of hypersonic boost-glide weapons. They provide useful new data on several previously uncertain aspects of glide vehicle aerodynamics and report results from computational fluid dynamics calculations of heating
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Mining for the Bomb: The Vulnerability of Buried Plutonium to Clandestine Recovery Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-03-23 Cameron L. Tracy, Rodney C. Ewing
Abstract Efforts by the United States and Russia to bilaterally reduce their weapons plutonium stockpiles are currently stalled following a U.S. decision to dilute and bury excess plutonium in a geologic repository. Russia has derided this approach as impermanent and easily reversible. Conversely, many analysts contend that the recovery of buried plutonium would require large-scale mining operations
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Hinge Points: An inside Look at North Korea’s Nuclear Program Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-03-06 Leon V. Sigal, Frank N. von Hippel
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 31, No. 1-2, 2023)
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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2023-02-20
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 30, No. 3, 2022)
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Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of the Infrared Emission From a Generic Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-12-07 Graham V. Candler, Ivett A. Leyva
Abstract Hypersonic boost-glide vehicles are designed to fly long distances in the upper atmosphere. They are reported to have the potential to evade ballistic missile early warning systems and to maneuver as they fly toward their target. A recent analysis by Tracy and Wright in Science & Global Security claimed to show that typical boost-glide vehicles produce significant infrared signatures that
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The Long-Term Global Health Burden from Nuclear Weapon Test Explosions in the Atmosphere: Revisiting Andrei Sakharov’s 1958 Estimates Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-10-11 Frank N. von Hippel
Abstract In 1958, the Soviet physicist Andrei Sakharov published an estimate of the long-term health impacts from carbon-14 produced by nuclear test explosions in the atmosphere. At the time, Sakharov was an important contributor to the Soviet Union's development of multi-megaton thermonuclear weapons. This was Sakharov's first public expression of concern about the weapons work in which he was involved
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Editors' Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-09-22 Zia Mian
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 30, No. 2, 2022)
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Radiation Exposures and Compensation of Victims of French Atmospheric Nuclear Tests in Polynesia Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-09-15 Sébastien Philippe, Sonya Schoenberger, Nabil Ahmed
Abstract Between 1966 and 1974, France conducted 41 atmospheric nuclear weapon tests in French Polynesia, exposing local populations to radioactive fallout. Under French law, individuals who were present at the time and later developed certain radiogenic cancers are eligible for compensation from the government—unless it is proven that they could not have received effective doses greater than 1 mSv
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Document-Based Nuclear Archaeology Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-08-24 Ole Reistad, Alex Glaser, Rebecca D. Frank, Sindre H. Kaald
Abstract Deeper reductions in the nuclear arsenals will require better understanding of historic fissile material management and production. The concept of “nuclear archaeology” has been considered since the 1990s to provide the tools and methods to develop independent production estimates, primarily based on nuclear forensic techniques. Here, we propose to add a framework for reconstructing the history
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Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics, and the Ends of Humanity Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-28 Ian A. Crawford
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 30, No. 2, 2022)
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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-06-06
Published in Science & Global Security: The Technical Basis for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation Initiatives (Vol. 30, No. 1, 2022)
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Capabilities of Commercial Satellite Earth Observation Systems and Applications for Nuclear Verification and Monitoring Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-05-03 Igor Moric
Abstract A growing number of commercial Earth observation satellite systems provide capabilities with significant application in nuclear verification, monitoring, and proliferation analysis. This article provides some relevant examples and a case study describing the importance of spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution on detectability of ground targets and monitoring of activity. The article also
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Assessing Uncertainty in Plutonium Production Estimates Based on the Isotope Ratio Method Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2022-04-18 Benjamin Jung, Malte Göttsche
Abstract Independent estimates of lifetime plutonium production can be made using forensic measurements of characteristic indicator isotope ratios in core structural elements in shut-down nuclear reactors. Incomplete knowledge of a reactor’s operational history, including fuel burnup, as well as uncertainties in nuclear cross-section data, can significantly affect such plutonium estimates, making it
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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-12-08 Zia Mian, Michelle Marean
(2021). Editors’ Note. Science & Global Security: Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 109-110.
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Assessing Uranium Ore Processing Activities Using Satellite Imagery at Pyongsan in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-10-14 Sulgiye Park, Terry McNulty, Allison Puccioni, Rodney C. Ewing
Abstract The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s only confirmed uranium mill is within the Pyongsan uranium mining complex. The ore processing pathway and the production capacity for uranium concentrate is analyzed, based on comprehensive satellite imagery analysis of this facility. This assessment of the Pyongsan facility indicates an ore processing capacity of ∼750–1,200 tonnes per day
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Verifying North Korea’s Plutonium Production with Nuclear Archaeology Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-12-08 Julien de Troullioud de Lanversin, Moritz Kütt
Abstract North Korea produced weapon-grade plutonium in its graphite-moderated 5-MWe reactor. Estimating the total production of fissile materials provides an important baseline for denuclearization efforts. Nuclear archaeology can improve such production estimates by measuring isotope ratios in the graphite moderator of the reactor. The accumulation of certain trace isotopes in the graphite enables
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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-22 Zia Mian
(2021). Editors’ Note. Science & Global Security: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 65-66.
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Plutonium and Tritium Production in Israel’s Dimona Reactor, 1964–2020 Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-11-15 Alexander Glaser, Julien de Troullioud de Lanversin
Abstract Since the early 1960s, Israel has used the Dimona reactor in the Negev Desert for unsafeguarded plutonium production. Estimates of cumulative plutonium production have been very uncertain, however, because the power level of the reactor is unknown, and there is a lack of detail about the reactor design. This analysis presents new estimates of historic plutonium production in Israel based on
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Risks to Persian Gulf Cities from Spent Fuel Fires at the Barakah and Bushehr Nuclear Power Plants Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-08-18 Thomas G. A. S. Spence, Ali Ahmad
Abstract Interest in nuclear power has grown in some Middle Eastern states despite poor economics, seismic activity, and attacks on nuclear facilities in the region. This article assesses risks from cesium-137 release and dispersal from spent nuclear fuel fires at Barakah in the United Arab Emirates and Bushehr in Iran to public health, the water supply, and the food security of major Persian Gulf
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Editorial Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-07-15
(2021). Editorial. Science & Global Security: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 1-2.
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Verified Nuclear Warhead Dismantlement: An Analysis and Methodology for Facility Assessment Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-06-21 Anders Axelsson, Jennifer Schofield, Daniel Sunhede, Nicholas J. Thompson, Ian Laurie, Katarina Wilhelmsen, Benjamin Carter
Abstract Effective verification of nuclear warhead dismantlement is an endeavor for which a solution is widely sought, but also one which poses numerous challenges, such as protection of information and safety and security of warheads and components. Some or all of these challenges could be influenced by the nature of the hosting dismantlement facility. We have developed a systems engineering approach
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Review and Redaction-Tolerant Image Verification Using Cryptographic Methods Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-03-26 Robert J. Hughes
Abstract Verification inspections that support nuclear weapon arms control treaties can require photographs to be taken as part of the inspection evidence. In a nuclear weapon facility, the host would generally want to review images before they are released to the inspector to prevent the accidental release of sensitive information. Currently, giving the host sole custody of the images for review severely
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Editors’ Note Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2021-02-12 Michelle Marean
(2020). Editors’ Note. Science & Global Security: Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 111-112.
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Flight Performance Analysis of the Samad Attack Drones Operated by Houthi Armed Forces Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2020-12-10 Mark Voskuijl, Thomas Dekkers, Ralph Savelsberg
Abstract In recent years, there has been a large increase in the use of uncrewed attack aircraft, or attack drones, in the Yemen conflict. At the same time, the flight endurance and payload capabilities of these uncrewed aerial vehicles seem to have increased significantly. This article presents a flight performance analysis of the Samad aircraft family operated by Ansar Allah, the Houthi rebel movement
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A question of Uranium Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2020-09-22
(2020). A question of Uranium. Science & Global Security: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 61-62.
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Geologic Analysis of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Uranium Resources and Mines Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2020-05-03 Sulgiye Park, Allison Puccioni, Cameron L. Tracy, Elliot Serbin, Rodney C. Ewing
Abstract The mining and milling of uranium ore is the first step in the production of fissile material and is a rate-limiting step for the indigenous production of nuclear weapons in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This study reports a geologic analysis of uranium mines in the DPRK in order to bound the state’s potential uranium production. The analysis suggests that the uranium deposits
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Impact of Fuel Enrichment on Key Naval Reactor Characteristics and Non-Proliferation Concerns Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2020-05-02 Ernesto Mané
Abstract This work reports on a notional compact naval reactor core running at 50 MWt full power—designed to investigate core life, reactivity margins and plutonium inventory for different levels of enrichment. A simplified computer model was constructed with the OpenMC neutron transport code and coupled to ONIX to calculate depletion of the initial fuel load—uranium dioxide mixed with gadolinia. It
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Data Science in Support of Radiation Detection for Border Monitoring: An Exploratory Study Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2020-01-02 Christopher Hobbs, Peter McBurney, Dominic Oliver
Abstract Radiation detection technology is widely deployed to identify undeclared nuclear or radiological materials in transit. However, in certain environments the effective use of radiation detection systems is complicated by the presence of significant quantities of naturally occurring radioactive materials that trigger nuisance alarms which divert attention from valid investigations. The frequency
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Physical Public Templates for Nuclear Warhead Verification Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2020-01-02 Alexander Glaser, Boaz Barak, Moritz Kütt, Sébastien Philippe
Abstract Passive gamma spectroscopy has been successfully used for nuclear warhead inspection systems based on the template-matching approach. The most prominent example of such a system is Sandia’s Trusted Radiation Identification System (TRIS), which is based on an earlier system used at Pantex since 1994 to confirm the identities of containerized plutonium pits. Remarkably, TRIS uses only 16 energy
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Assessing Priorities towards Achieving Dependable and Secure Computing in the U.S. ICBM Force Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-12-18 Lauren J. Borja
Abstract This paper is an assessment of cybersecurity principles within the nuclear arsenal of the United States, specifically the nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile forces. Ongoing modernizations will introduce new components, and potentially new vulnerabilities, into U.S. nuclear forces. The principles for achieving secure operations from the fields of computer security, dependable
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Science & Global Security: 30 years on, still a big mission Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-09-02 H.A. Feiveson,Frank N. von Hippel
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Assessing the PRISM reactor as a disposition option for the British plutonium stockpile Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-09-02 Christopher Fichtlscherer, Friederike Frieß, Moritz Kütt
Abstract The United Kingdom considered using the PRISM sodium-cooled fast reactor as a disposition option for its civilian plutonium from reprocessed MAGNOX and Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor spent fuel. This article assesses the plutonium disposition capabilities of the PRISM reactor for the U.K. stockpile. The article first describes how the stockpile was created. It then provides a simulation of reactor
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Analysis of the DPRK’s Nuclear Weapons Capabilities by Estimating Its Highly Enriched Uranium Stockpile and Natural Uranium Reserves Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-09-02 Sherzod R. Kurbanbekov, Seung Min Woo, Sunil S. Chirayath
Abstract There is a shortage of reliable information on the highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile, production capabilities, and natural uranium reserves of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea). It is, however, possible to estimate DPRK’s nuclear material reserves using the data in the open literature and considering various scenarios. Based on our literature survey and
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Analysis of the Frequency and Detectability of Objects Resembling Nuclear/Radiological Threats in Commercial Cargo Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-09-02 Brian S. Henderson
Abstract The detection of smuggled nuclear/radiological materials or weapons in commercial cargo remains a severe technical challenge due to the complexity of the global cargo network, sources of normally occurring radiation, and the broad nature of the threat. This article presents an analysis of the physical constraints on the nature and detectability of nuclear and radiological threats, using 122
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The Scope of Foreign Assistance to North Korea’s Missile Program Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-01-02 Markus Schiller
Abstract There is evidence that North Korea’s ballistic missile program benefited from support from the Soviet Union until its collapse and from Russia thereafter. Along with transfers of missile systems and rocket components, it appears that Russian engineers directly supported the program in North Korea. Analysis of missile launches, imagery, design solutions, and technology suggest that Pyongyang’s
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Neutrino-Based Tools for Nuclear Verification and Diplomacy in North Korea Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-01-02 Rachel Carr, Jonathon Coleman, Mikhail Danilov, Giorgio Gratta, Karsten Heeger, Patrick Huber, YuenKeung Hor, Takeo Kawasaki, Soo-Bong Kim, Yeongduk Kim, John Learned, Manfred Lindner, Kyohei Nakajima, James Nikkel, Seon-Hee Seo, Fumihiko Suekane, Antonin Vacheret, Wei Wang, James Wilhelmi, Liang Zhan
Abstract We present neutrino-based options for verifying that the nuclear reactors at North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center are no longer operating or that they are operating in an agreed manner, precluding weapons production. Neutrino detectors may be a mutually agreeable complement to traditional verification protocols because they do not require access inside reactor buildings, could be
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A Cryptographic Escrow for Treaty Declarations and Step-by-Step Verification Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2019-01-02 Sébastien Philippe, Alexander Glaser, Edward W. Felten
Abstract The verification of arms-control and disarmament agreements requires states to provide declarations, including information on sensitive military sites and assets. There are important cases, however, in which negotiations of these agreements are impeded because states are reluctant to provide any such data, because of concerns about prematurely handing over militarily significant information
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A Passive Method for the Detection of Explosives and Weapons-Grade Plutonium in Nuclear Warheads Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2018-09-02 Huang Meng, Zhu Jianyu, Wu Jun, Li Rui
Abstract Before a nuclear warhead is dismantled, the special nuclear material and explosives must be identified and authenticated. This paper proposes a passive method to detect and identify weapons-grade plutonium cores and explosives in nuclear warheads based on neutron analyses techniques. This paper first describes the principles of a passive detection method that calculates the element number
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Nuclear Archaeology to Distinguish Plutonium and Tritium Production Modes in Heavy-Water Reactors Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2018-09-02 Julien de Troullioud de Lanversin, Malte Göttsche, Alexander Glaser
Abstract Several nuclear archaeology techniques have been proposed to determine historic plutonium production in dedicated nuclear reactors. These methods rely on sampling materials from the reactor core, or specially designed monitor tags, to examine suited isotopic ratios and deduce the amount of plutonium produced. However, some production reactors are capable of producing isotopes other than plutonium
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Proliferation Relevance and Safeguards Implications of Partitioning and Transmutation Nuclear Fuel Cycles Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2018-09-02 Erik Buhmann, Gerald Kirchner
Abstract Over the last 2 decades there has been renewed interest in developing advanced nuclear reactors and fuel cycles. Many of these advanced design concepts require or can use fuel elements that contain actinides recycled from light water reactor spent fuel. Irradiation of these elements in fast nuclear reactors is supposed to transmute them into less toxic isotopes and reduce their mass. Since
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The 22 September 1979 Vela Incident: Radionuclide and Hydroacoustic Evidence for a Nuclear Explosion Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2018-01-02 Lars-Erik De Geer, Christopher M. Wright
ABSTRACT This article offers a new analysis of radionuclide and hydroacoustic data to support a low-yield nuclear weapon test as a plausible explanation for the still contentious 22 September 1979 Vela Incident, in which U.S. satellite Vela 6911 detected an optical signal characteristic of an atmospheric nuclear explosion over the Southern Indian or Atlantic Ocean. Based on documents not previously
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Detecting Clandestine Reprocessing Activities in the Middle East Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2018-01-02 Michael Schoeppner
ABSTRACT Remote monitoring of krypton-85 from undeclared reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel could be part of a fissile material cut-off treaty, could serve as an additional measure for the IAEA safeguards system to monitor compliance with the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty, and could be an important verification tool of a reprocessing moratorium or Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle
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The 22 September 1979 Vela Incident: The Detected Double-Flash Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-09-02 Christopher M. Wright, Lars-Erik De Geer
ABSTRACT On 22 September 1979 two optical sensors on U.S. satellite Vela 6911 detected a double-flash of light that appeared characteristic of an atmospheric nuclear explosion conducted over the southern Atlantic or Indian Ocean. It became known as the Vela Incident, Event 747, or Alert 747. An anomaly between the amplitude of the two signals during the second pulse led a U.S. government expert panel
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Phosphate Rocks and Nuclear Proliferation Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-09-02 Nils Haneklaus, Anastasiya Bayok, Vitaly Fedchenko
ABSTRACT Phosphate rocks are predominantly mined for fertilizer production. However, they also contain considerable amounts of accompanying natural uranium that can exceed concentrations found at commercial uranium mines. Extracting uranium from phosphate rocks during fertilizer production is a technically mature process; it was used on an industrial scale in the United States and elsewhere before
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Estimating the Amount of Nuclear Weapon-usable Material Outside Government Control Using Data on Reported Seizures Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-09-02 Valentin Stanev, Steve Fetter
ABSTRACT Terrorists could acquire nuclear weapons by using weapon-usable nuclear material that was stolen or otherwise diverted from legitimate authorities. Multiple well-documented seizures suggest the existence of a black market that draws on an unknown stock of weapon-usable nuclear material that is not under the control of authorities. We estimate the total amount of uncontrolled material based
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Timely Verification at Large-Scale Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plants Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-05-04 Mark E. Walker, Robert J. Goldston
ABSTRACT This article examines challenges in international nuclear safeguards pertaining to the timely detection of highly enriched uranium production at large-scale gas centrifuge enrichment plants. To establish where present gas centrifuge enrichment plant safeguards measures and approaches could be strengthened, we have created a discrete time model for simulating hypothetical misuse scenarios,
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Economic Losses From a Fire in a Dense-Packed U.S. Spent Fuel Pool Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-05-04 Frank N. von Hippel, Michael Schoeppner
ABSTRACT In 2013, the staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimated the reduction of the off-site economic losses from a fire in a drained U.S. spent fuel pool if fuel that had cooled for more than five years were transferred to dry cask storage—an option it called “expedited transfer.” In this article, it is shown that the savings would be much higher than the NRC estimated. Savings increase
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Did Star Wars Help End the Cold War? Soviet Response to the SDI Program Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-01-02 Pavel Podvig
ABSTRACT The Strategic Defense Initiative was a U.S. missile defense program that played a very prominent role in the U.S.–Soviet relationships in the 1980s and is often credited with helping end the Cold War, as it presented the Soviet Union with a technological challenge that it could not meet. This article introduces several official Soviet documents to examine Soviet response to SDI. The evidence
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Evolutionary Psychology and Global Security Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-01-02 William von Hippel
Peace and global security are human endeavors, and thus their attainment depends as much on psychology as it does on governance and technology. In this paper I outline 3 ways our evolved psychology is an obstacle to achieving international cooperation and peace. First, humans show strong evidence of adaptations for cooperation within groups, but equally clear evidence that this cooperative nature does
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Accident Scenarios Involving Pebble Bed High Temperature Reactors Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2017-01-02 Matthias Englert, Friederike Frieß, M. V. Ramana
ABSTRACT Proponents of high temperature gas cooled reactors argue that the reactor type is inherently safe and that severe accidents with core damage and radioactive releases cannot occur. The argument is primarily based on the safety features of the special form of the fuel. This paper examines some of the assumptions underlying the safety case for high temperature gas cooled reactors and highlights
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BN-800: Spent Fuel Dose Rates and the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2016-09-01 Friederike Frieß, Moritz Kütt
ABSTRACT In 2000, Russia and the United States signed the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement to dispose of 34 tons of declared excess weapon plutonium each. A 2010 amendment allows Russia to dispose of its weapon-grade plutonium as MOX fuel in its BN-600 and BN-800 fast reactors with the condition that 30 years after irradiation the spent fuel must still emit at least one sievert per hour
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Nuclear High-level Waste Tank Explosions: Potential Causes and Impacts of a Hypothetical Accident at India's Kalpakkam Reprocessing Plant Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2016-09-01 M. V. Ramana, A. H. Nayyar, Michael Schoeppner
ABSTRACT Tanks holding liquid high level waste from reprocessing spent fuel have large inventories of highly radioactive materials. These tanks could potentially be damaged by a variety of chemical explosions, leading to the dispersion of a significant fraction of their radioactive contents. This article describes some of the different chemical explosions that could occur and examines how such explosions
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Reducing the Danger from Fires in Spent Fuel Pools Science & Global Security (IF 0.7) Pub Date : 2016-09-01 Frank N. von Hippel, Michael Schoeppner
ABSTRACT This article reviews the case of the spent fuel fire that almost happened at Fukushima in March 2011, and shows that, had the wind blown the released radioactivity toward Tokyo, 35 million people might have required relocation. It then reviews the findings by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2013 that the consequences of a loss-of-water event could be drastically reduced