Detection and analysis of xenon isotopes for the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty international monitoring system.
The use of the xenon isotopes for detection of nuclear explosions is of great interest for monitoring compliance with the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty (CTBT). Recently, the automated radioxenon sampler-analyzer (ARSA) was tested at the Institute for Atmospheric Radioactivity (IAR) in Freiburg, Germany to ascertain its use for the CTBT by comparing its results to laboratory-based analyses, determining its detection sensitivity and analyzing its results in light of historical xenon isotope levels and known reactor operations in the area. Xe-133 was detected nearly every day throughout the test at activity concentrations ranging between approximately 0.1 mBq/m3 to as high as 120 mBq/m3. Xe-133m and 135Xe were also detected occasionally during the test at concentrations of less than 1 to a few mBq/m3.
Bowyer
T W
TW
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA. ted.bowyer@pnl.gov
Schlosser
C
C
Abel
K H
KH
Auer
M
M
Hayes
J C
JC
Heimbigner
T R
TR
McIntyre
J I
JI
Panisko
M E
ME
Reeder
P L
PL
Satorius
H
H
Schulze
J
J
Weiss
W
W
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007391:International Cooperation; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D011640:Public Policy; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014979:Xenon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis
D014979:Xenon Isotopes