CTBT: Science and Technology Conference 2025 - SnT2025

Radioxenon gas handling and extraction system for transport experiments of the PE1 series

P2.3-292

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 Johnathan Slack (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL))

Description

Radioxenon is an important signature for the International Monitoring System, and as such, its inclusion in field experiments providing validation data for gas transport modeling is critical. Several experiments have already been conducted in the Low Yield Nuclear Monitoring (LYNM) Physics Experiment 1 (PE1) series that incorporated 127Xe. Unfortunately, while 127Xe is ideal for these kinds of experiments, with its long half-life and distinct signature, it comes only from irradiation of 126Xe which is logistically difficult to procure and irradiate. Another alternative is commercially available 133Xe. Large quantities can be purchased in 2-3mL vials but it has a significantly shorter half-life. The work detailed here discusses the development of a benchtop system for transferring multiple Curies of 133Xe within a short timetable to potentially support upcoming PE1 experiments.