CTBT: Science and Technology Conference 2025 - SnT2025

Exploring background interference sources of Argon-37

P2.3-190

Not scheduled

1h

Zeremoniensaal

E-poster T2.3 Atmospheric and Subsurface Radionuclide Background and Dispersion P2.3 Atmospheric and Subsurface Radionuclide Background and Dispersion

Speaker

Mr James Ely (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL))

Description

Argon-37, due to its 35-day half-life, is a potential noble gas signature for detection of an underground nuclear explosion (UNE) for up to ~1 year after the event. This half-life also allows Ar-37 from background sources to persist in the environment. Argon-37 has been examined as a soil gas signature, and some exploration as a signature in air samples, although the background of aron-37 in air is less well-known. This work examines the potential background sources of argon-37, from reactors, accelerators, and other possible pathways to understand the limitations of detecting argon-37 in air samples for nuclear explosion monitoring.