Field testing of collection and measurement of radioxenon for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Elevated radioxenon detected remotely following the Fukushima nuclear accident

“…PNNL has had a 15 þ year history in the development of sensitive radioactive xenon (radioxenon) detection systems (Auer et al, 2004;Bowyer et al, 2002;McIntyre et al, 2001;Bowyer et al, 1999), Table 1 Half-lives and cumulative fission yields of xenon isotopes.…”

Progress in CTBT Monitoring Since its 1999 Senate Defeat

“…ARSA (1) collects air at very high rates, (2) uses high-efficiency gamma and beta coincident detectors, (3) minimizes back ground counts, (4) minimizes radon in separated xenon samples, (5) conducts short cycles of continuous separations with prompt subsequent analysis of the gas samples, and (6) functions without an operator and without significant maintenance. 45 The ARSA system reduces 40 m 46 This takes advantage of the fact that aerosols from atmospheric explosions have diameters less than 0.1 µm, and aerosols from underground explosions have diameters larger than 1 µm, whereas aerosols with natural radioactivity have diameters between 0.1 and 1 µm. In addition, traditional radioactive sampling during on-site inspections can determine if a nuclear test took place.…”

Maximum reasonable radioxenon releases from medical isotope production facilities and their effect on monitoring nuclear explosions

“…Since the goal for verification of the CTBT is discrimination of nuclear explosions from background events, many authors have worked throughout the past nearly 20 years to devise ways to differentiate nuclear explosions from these sources (e.g., Bowyer, et al, 1997Bowyer, et al, , 1999Bowyer, et al, , 2002Auer et al, 2004;Kalinowski et al, 2010;Saey et al, 2010). The main technique has been through the close examination of the isotopic ratios of xenon.…”