Report on research and development of nuclear forensics technologies

Okubo, Ayako; Kimura, Yoshiki; Shinohara, Nobuo; Toda, Nobufumi; Funatake, Yoshio; Watahiki, Masaru; Sakurai, Satoshi; Kuno, Yusuke

JAEA-Technology 2015-001, 185 Pages, 2015/03

JAEA-Technology-2015-001.pdf:56.65MB

Nuclear forensics is the analysis of intercepted illicit nuclear or radioactive material and any associated material to provide evidence for nuclear attribution by determining origin, history, transit routes and purpose involving such material. Nuclear forensics activity includes sampling of the illicit material, analysis of the samples and evaluation of the attribution by comparing the analyzed data with database or numerical simulation. Because the nuclear forensics technologies specify the origin of the nuclear materials used illegal dealings or nuclear terrorism, it becomes possible to identify and indict offenders, hence to enhance deterrent effect against such terrorism. Worldwide network on nuclear forensics can contribute to strengthen global nuclear security regime. In this paper, the results of research and development of fundamental nuclear forensics technologies performed in Japan Atomic Energy Agency during the fiscal term of 2011-2013 were reported.

Review of International forum on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Shimizu, Ryo; Suzuki, Mitsutoshi; Sakurai, Satoshi; Tamai, Hiroshi; Yamamura, Tsukasa; Naoi, Yosuke; Kuno, Yusuke

JAEA-Review 2011-038, 116 Pages, 2012/02

JAEA-Review-2011-038.pdf:21.45MB

International forum on peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear non-proliferation was held at Gakushi-kaikan, Tokyo on February 2-3, 2011 in cooperation with The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) and The University of Tokyo Global COE. In our International Forum, we would like to encourage active discussion of international challenges to and solutions for compatibility between peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear non-proliferation, and international cooperation for emerging nuclear energy states. It was successfully carried out with as many as 310 participants and a lot of discussions. This report includes abstracts of keynote speeches, summary of panel discussions and materials of the presentations in the forum.

Establishment of technologies for nuclear forensics analysis

Kuno, Yusuke; Sakurai, Satoshi; Hori, Masato

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 53(4), p.263 - 267, 2011/04

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10027960709

no abstracts in English

A New method for isotope ratio measurement of uranium in trace amount by thermal ionization mass spectrometry; The Continuous heating method

Suzuki, Daisuke; Kokubu, Yoko; Sakurai, Satoshi; Lee, C. G.; Magara, Masaaki; Iguchi, Kazunari*; Kimura, Takaumi

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 294(1), p.23 - 27, 2010/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2010.04.007

A new method for isotope ratio measurement with thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), "continuous heating method", was developed in order to determine an accurate isotope ratio of uranium ranging from sub-picograms to several dozen picograms. In this method, signals were measured during evaporation of an entire sample; however, part of the higher detected signals was used for calculation of the isotope ratio. The continuous heating method can measure the ratios with high reproducibility regardless of the sample amount and the skill of operators because procedures of measurement and data calculation were standardized, enabling accurate correction of mass discrimination effect. When U/U ratios in isotopic reference materials measured by the continuous heating method were compared with those measured by the conventional method and the total evaporation method, there was no difference in the case of measurement of a larger amount of samples. However, the continuous heating method showed the most accurate result compared with those measured by the other methods for the measurement of the sample of sub-picograms.

Comparison of ICP-MS and SIMS techniques for determining uranium isotope ratios in individual particles

Esaka, Fumitaka; Magara, Masaaki; Lee, C. G.; Sakurai, Satoshi; Usuda, Shigekazu; Shinohara, Nobuo

Talanta, 78(1), p.290 - 294, 2009/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2008.11.011

The determination of uranium isotope ratios in individual particles is of great importance for nuclear safeguards. In the present study, an analytical technique by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a desolvation sample introduction system was applied to isotope ratio analysis of individual uranium particles. In ICP-MS analysis of individual uranium particles with diameters ranging from 0.6 to 4.2 m in a standard reference material (NBL CRM U050), the use of the desolvation system for sample introduction improved the precision of U/U and U/U isotope ratios. The performance of ICP-MS with desolvation was compared with that of a conventionally used method, i.e., secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The analysis of test swipe samples taken at nuclear facilities implied that the performance of ICP-MS with desolvation was superior to that of SIMS in a viewpoint of accuracy, because the problems of agglomeration of uranium particles and molecular ion interferences by other elements could be avoided. These results indicated that ICP-MS with desolvation has an enough ability to become an effective tool for nuclear safeguards.

Research and development on environmental radionuclides for nuclear non-proliferation at Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Usuda, Shigekazu; Shinohara, Nobuo; Sakurai, Satoshi; Magara, Masaaki; Miyamoto, Yutaka; Esaka, Fumitaka; Yasuda, Kenichiro; Kokubu, Yoko; Hirayama, Fumio; Lee, C. G.; et al.

KEK Proceedings 2007-16, p.13 - 22, 2008/02

For the purpose of controlling and monitoring radiations and radioactive materials emitted from nuclear facilities to the environment and also evaluating their effects, various R&D on environmental radioactivity has been carried out at Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). Especially, for the abolition of nuclear weapons and for peaceful uses nuclear energy, ultra-trace analysis of environmental samples for safeguards and ultra-high sensitive monitoring of radionuclides for the CTBT verification, which have been scheduled in the middle of 1990s, have been promotted under the auspices of the Japanese Government at JAERI, the former of JAEA. In this presentation, the outline of R&D on environmental radioactivity for nuclear non-proliferation is introduced. In addition, applications of the developed techniques and future perspectives will be discussed.

Development of analytical technique for safeguards environmental samples at JAEA; Current status and development of analytical method for isotope ratios of plutonium particles

Magara, Masaaki; Usuda, Shigekazu; Sakurai, Satoshi; Shinohara, Nobuo; Esaka, Fumitaka; Kokubu, Yoko; Suzuki, Daisuke; Yasuda, Kenichiro; Lee, C. G.; Inagawa, Jun; et al.

Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai (INMM) Nihon Shibu Dai-29-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (CD-ROM), 6 Pages, 2008/00

JAEA has been developing, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, analytical techniques for ultra-trace amounts of nuclear materials in the environmental samples in order to contribute to the strengthened safeguards system. In January 2003, JAEA was qualified as a member of the IAEA network analytical laboratories (NWAL) for environmental sample analysis. Since then, JAEA has conducted the analysis of domestic and the IAEA samples. Two techniques, bulk and particle analyses, are available for the environmental samples and the latter method generally provides more detailed information about history of nuclear materials in a facility. However, isotope ratios of uranium are measured in the particle analysis at present and it is wished to develop analytical method for isotope ratios of plutonium in individual particles. We commence the development of the plutonium particle analysis and the consideration of age-dating for plutonium particles through the atomic ratio of Pu-241 and Am-241.

Rapid separation of actinides using an anion-exchange polymer chain grafted onto a porous sheet

Asai, Shiho; Magara, Masaaki; Sakurai, Satoshi; Shinohara, Nobuo; Saito, Kyoichi*; Sugo, Takanobu*

Nihon Ion Kokan Gakkai-Shi, 18(4), p.486 - 491, 2007/10

https://doi.org/10.5182/jaie.18.486

Particle-chemical analysis of uranium and plutonium

Shinonaga, Taeko*; Donohue, D.*; Klose, D.*; Kuno, Takehiko*; Kuno, Yusuke*; Esaka, Fumitaka; Esaka, Konomi; Magara, Masaaki; Sakurai, Satoshi; Usuda, Shigekazu

STI/PUB/1298 (CD-ROM), p.525 - 531, 2007/08

More precise, accurate and prompt analyses of uranium and plutonium in various types of environmental samples are increasingly requested from the Clean Laboratory Unit, Safeguards Analytical Laboratory of IAEA in recent years. Particles show unique information and up to now, the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has been employed for the uranium and plutonium particle analysis. The SIMS that is the most rapid method for particle analysis has, however, disadvantages for the analysis of the minor isotopes like U and U, i.e., not precise enough. The SIMS measurement also has a difficulty on Pu determination because of the interference of U-based isobaric signals. In this study, a combination of techniques, picking-up particles by a manipulator attached to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), followed by uranium and plutonium chemical purification and measurement by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS), was demonstrated for particle analysis using standard materials (NBS U500 and NBS 947) to develop a particle-chemical analysis.

Geographical distribution of plutonium derived from the atomic bomb in the eastern area of Nagasaki

Kokubu, Yoko; Yasuda, Kenichiro; Magara, Masaaki; Miyamoto, Yutaka; Sakurai, Satoshi; Usuda, Shigekazu; Yamazaki, Hideo*; Yoshikawa, Shusaku*

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 273(1), p.183 - 186, 2007/07

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-007-0733-9

no abstracts in English