Theory of Antineutrino Monitoring of Burning MOX Plutonium Fuels

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of using reactor antineutrino signals to monitor and verify the burnup and grade of plutonium in MOX fuels, aiding nuclear safeguards and accountability.

Contribution

It demonstrates the feasibility of antineutrino monitoring to distinguish MOX fuel burnup and plutonium grade, providing a new tool for nuclear verification.

Findings

Antineutrino signals differ between reactor-grade and weapons-grade MOX.

Monitoring can verify plutonium destruction in reactors.

Distinguishing plutonium grade remains challenging.

Abstract

This letter presents the physics and feasibility of reactor antineutrino monitoring to verify the burnup of plutonium loaded in the reactor as a Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. It examines the magnitude and temporal variation in the antineutrino signals expected for different MOX fuels, for the purposes of nuclear accountability and safeguards. The antineutrino signals from reactor-grade and weapons-grade MOX are shown to be distinct from those from burning low enriched uranium. Thus, antineutrino monitoring could be used to verify the destruction of plutonium in reactors, though verifying the grade of the plutonium being burned is found to be more challenging.