Nondestructive detection and assay of nuclear material by laser Compton -rays from energy-recovery linacs

Hajima, Ryoichi; Kikuzawa, Nobuhiro ; Hayakawa, Takehito; Minehara, Eisuke

Nondestructive assay of nuclear materials is one of the most urgent research issues for the management of nuclear waste. We apply nuclear resonant fluorescence (NRF), a fingerprint of each isotope, to the nondestructive detection. Detection of NRF signals from objectives irradiated by quasi-monochromatic -rays enables one to make quantitative assay of nuclear materials in a nondestructive manner. In order to obtain high-flux -rays for the above purpose, we propose to utilize an energy-recovery linac (ERL), which produces a high-brightness electron beam with high-average current. A design study of high-flux -ray source based on an ERL shows that a -ray flux of ph/sec/keV is obtained and detection of U-238 of 1 Bq/g in a concrete drum is possible within 1 second. In this paper, we present a design of the assay system and results of Monte Carlo simulations of NRF.