Researchers at the Oregon State University College of Engineering have developed a groundbreaking new technology for uranium enrichment measurement and trace element detection. This innovation is poised to significantly impact not only nuclear non-proliferation efforts but also the development and safe operation of next-generation nuclear reactors, with broader applications extending into advanced non-destructive testing (NDT). The findings of this research have been published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
"The technology that we are developing can support nuclear safeguards as well as nuclear energy development," stated Haori Yang, associate professor of nuclear science and engineering. "It can enable on-site enrichment measurements with minimal or no sample preparation, which means a quick turnaround time. It can also be used to monitor fuel in Gen-IV nuclear reactors, such as liquid metal cooled reactors." These capabilities are crucial for entities like the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, ensuring compliance and safe access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
The system represents a powerful collaboration between Oregon State and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, integrating three distinct detection techniques into a single, cohesive unit: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), laser absorption spectroscopy, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Spectroscopy, as a method, leverages the unique ways substances interact with light to enable precise material analysis.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) utilizes a high-energy laser pulse to create plasma, the light from which reveals a sample's composition. Yang noted, "LIBS enables remote, rapid, onsite analysis with minimal sample preparation." While powerful, its spectral resolution has typically been limited. Laser absorption spectroscopy addresses this by passing a tunable laser through the plasma, allowing for high spectral resolution and sensitivity ideal for isotope-specific measurements. Though it requires careful alignment, its precision is unmatched. The system is further enhanced by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, which combines absorption and emission. This technique excites atoms in the plasma with a probing laser and measures their fluorescence, enabling precise isotope identification from a distance, particularly valuable for remote, high-sensitivity NDT applications.
Crucially for NDT in challenging industrial environments, Yang elaborated, "Our system is fully capable of implementing fiber-optic laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Unlike conventional LIBS, which requires direct line-of-sight access to the target, fiber-optic LIBS delivers the pulsed laser and collects emitted light through optical fibers. This decouples the front-end measurement head from the main system, enabling safe and effective measurements in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments." This feature greatly expands the scope for non-invasive material analysis in complex settings.
The research, which included doctoral student Yichen Zhao, received funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Beyond this spectroscopy work, Professor Yang is actively engaged in other initiatives with direct relevance to NDT. This includes the development of a muon tomography imaging system for monitoring spent nuclear fuel assemblies, leveraging the penetrating power of muons to "see inside" dry storage casks for inspection. He is also exploring a photon-induced fission technique for detecting concealed nuclear material and investigating low-cost, high-performance radiation detection based on nanostructured sensors and spintronics devices as alternatives to traditional detectors.
Yang concluded, "The revolutionary improvements that we're studying will have significant impact in areas beyond nuclear material detection, including medical imaging, high-energy physics and nondestructive testing." This forward-looking statement underscores the broad potential of their research to transform inspection and analysis across multiple high-stakes sectors.
Reference: https://www.miragenews.com/key-advances-in-radiation-detection-unveiled-1496065/
