Catalog Course Description

Use of nuclear measurement techniques to detect clandestine movement and/or possession of nuclear materials by third parties. Nuclear detection, forensics, signatures, and active and passive interrogation methodologies will be explored. Techniques currently deployed for arms control and treaty verification will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on common elements of detection technology from the viewpoint of resolution of threat signatures from false positives due to naturally occurring radioactive material. Laboratory will involve experiments conducted in the Nucleonics Laboratory featuring passive and active neutron signals, gamma ray detection, fission neutron multiplicity, and U and Pu isotopic identification and age determination. Students should be familiar with alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation and basic concepts of nuclear fission.

Spring Term

1 to 3 hours of Instructional experiences requiring special laboratory equipment and facilities per week and 8 to 6 hours of Outside Work Hours per week and 3 hours of Instructor presentation of course materials per week.

Fall Term

1 to 3 hours of Instructional experiences requiring special laboratory equipment and facilities per week and 8 to 6 hours of Outside Work Hours per week and 3 hours of Instructor presentation of course materials per week.