Nondestructive identification of isotopes using nuclear resonance fluorescence

Shizuma, Toshiyuki; Hayakawa, Takehito; Hajima, Ryoichi; Kikuzawa, Nobuhiro ; Ogaki, Hideaki; Toyokawa, Hiroyuki*

Nondestructive identification of heavy isotopes concealed in a thick iron box has been demonstrated by using nuclear resonance fluorescence. A quasi-monochromatic photon beam produced by the collision of laser quanta with high energy electrons was used for resonant excitation of nuclear levels in Pb and Pb. By measuring the resonant rays emitted from Pb and Pb, each of these isotopes were clearly identified. The ratio of the effective thickness, i.e., concentration distribution, of these isotopes was deduced from the relative intensities of the measured NRF strengths.