Neutrino Detectors as Tools for Nuclear Security

TL;DR

Neutrino detectors have potential for nuclear security applications like reactor monitoring and explosion detection, but practical limitations restrict their current and near-future effectiveness.

Contribution

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of neutrino detector applications in nuclear security and assesses recent technological advances and their practical implications.

Findings

Near-field reactor monitoring is feasible with recent detector advances.

Far-field detection requires further R&D for practical implementation.

Long-range detection remains impractical due to physical constraints.

Abstract

For over 40 years, physicists have considered possible uses for neutrino detectors in nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, and fissile materials security. Neutrinos are an attractive fission signature because they readily pass through matter. The same property makes neutrinos challenging to detect in systems that would be practical for nuclear security applications. This colloquium presents a broad overview of several potential neutrino applications, including the near-field monitoring of known reactors, far-field monitoring of known or discovery of undeclared reactors, detection of reactor waste streams, and detection of nuclear explosions. We conclude that recent detector advances have made near-field monitoring feasible. Farther-field reactor detection and waste stream detection monitoring are possible in some cases with further research and development. Very long-range reactor monitoring and nuclear explosion detection do not appear feasible for the foreseeable future due to considerable physical and/or practical constraints.