Characterization of Some Nuclear Material Samples for Nuclear Forensics Investigation Purposes

Abstract

Human needs for nuclear and radiological applications are extremely extended in all aspects of life. This includes generation of energy, medical diagnosis and treatment, research and development, optimize the use of natural resources, sterilization and many other applications. Beside the huge benefits of nuclear and radiological applications, the inability of controlling them may impose hazards to human, property and environment. Normally, for any activity which includes benefits and hazards, laws and regulations should be established for regulation. The three main pillars to regulate the applications of Nuclear Material (NM) and Radioactive Sources (RS) are safety, safeguards and security. While safety systems are constructed to prevent and minimize the misuse of NM and RS, safeguards and security systems focus on deter, prevent and detect any unauthorized uses or acts out of regulations. The main target of the safeguards system is to assure the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The acts which are targeted by security systems include the theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illicit trafficking and other malicious acts involving NM and RS.