8–12 Sept 2025
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Interference of natural radionuclides and detector/shielding neutron interactions with the detection of CTBT-relevant radionuclides

P3.6-364
Not scheduled
1h
Zeremoniensaal

Zeremoniensaal

E-poster T3.6 Analysis of Radionuclide Monitoring Data P3.6 Analysis of Radionuclide Monitoring Data

Speaker

Mr Arend Harms (CTBTO Preparatory Commission)

Description

The CTBTO’s International Data Centre (IDC) collects, processes and analyses data originating from the facilities of the CTBTO’s International Monitoring System (IMS), which uses four complementary verification methods (including radionuclide) to detect nuclear explosions. Radionuclide technique is the last step to validate whether a nuclear explosion has been carried out. Data from the 73 currently operational radionuclide particulate IMS stations consist of a daily gamma ray spectrum from each station. They are sent to the IDC, where they undergo an automated analysis process. After this, the IDC radionuclide analysts refine the results during an interactive review process resulting in Reviewed Radionuclide Reports (RRRs). Several natural radionuclides, such as Pb-212 and progeny, Bi-214, Ac-228 and Pa-234m, and those induced by neutron interactions with components of the detector shielding and the detector itself, may interfere with the detection, peak identification and quantification of CTBT relevant radionuclides such as Zn-65, Zr-95/Nb-95, Tc-99m, I-131, Cs-134, Ba-140/La-140 (among other CTBT-relevant radionuclides). This work looks at the peak identification issues and explains what methods the IDC radionuclide analysts are applying to address these issues. It also includes lessons learned from the re-measurements of a selection of collected samples at the CTBTO radionuclide laboratories and follow-up investigations.

E-mail [email protected]

Author

Mr Arend Harms (CTBTO Preparatory Commission)

Co-authors

Ms Carla Maria Salgueiro Pires Winter (CTBTO Preparatory Commission) Mr Eric Jilbert Nguelem Mekongtso (CTBTO Preparatory Commission) Ms Jana Meresova (CTBTO Preparatory Commission) Mr Jonathan Bare (CTBTO Preparatory Commission) Dr Nolasco Mlwilo (CTBTO Preparatory Commission) Mr Seokryung Yoon (CTBTO Preparatory Commission) Mr Gerard Rambolamanana (CTBTO Preparatory Commission)

Presentation materials

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