A non-destructive internal nuclear forensic investigation at Argonne: discovery of a Pu planchet from 1948

Joseph A. Savina, Jennifer L. Steeb, Michael R. Savina, Carol J. Mertz, Jeffrey A. Fortner, Vivian S. Sullivan, Megan E. Bennett, David B. Chamberlain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

A plutonium alpha standard dating from 1948 was discovered at Argonne National Laboratory and characterized using a number of non-destructive analytical techniques. The principle radioactive isotope was found to be 239Pu and unique ring structures were found across the surface of the deposition area. Due to chronological constraints on possible sources and its high isotopic purity, the plutonium in the sample was likely produced by the Oak Ridge National Lab X-10 Reactor. It is proposed that the rings are resultant through a combination of polishing and electrodeposition, though the hypothesis fails to address a few key features of the ring structures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-252
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Volume311
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrodeposition
  • Non-destructive analysis
  • Nuclear archeology
  • Nuclear forensics
  • Pu

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