Resonant photonuclear isotope detection using medium-energy photon beam

TL;DR

This paper introduces a nondestructive method called resonant photonuclear isotope detection (RPID) that uses medium-energy photon beams to identify and quantify nuclear isotopes through gamma-ray measurement, applicable in various scientific fields.

Contribution

The paper presents RPID as a novel technique employing 12-16 MeV photon beams for isotope detection, expanding capabilities in nuclear, geological, and historical research.

Findings

Effective detection of micro- to ppb-level isotopes.

Application to identify fission and stable isotopes.

Potential for nondestructive analysis in multiple fields.

Abstract

Resonant photonuclear isotope detection (RPID) is a nondestructive detection/assay of nuclear isotopes by measuring gamma rays following photonuclear reaction products. Medium-energy wideband photons of 12-16 MeV are used for the photonuclear reactions and gamma rays characteristic of the reaction products are measured by means of high-sensitivity Ge detectors. Impurities of stable and radioactive isotopes of the orders of micro-nano gr and ppm-ppb are investigated. RPID is used to study nuclear isotopes of astronuclear and particle physics interests and those of geological and historical interests. It is used to identify radioactive isotopes of fission products as well.