Alternative treaty monitoring approaches using ultra-low background measurement technology

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 67; no. 5; pp. 746 - 749
• Main Authors: Miley, H.S., Aalseth, C.E., Bowyer, T.W., Fast, J.E., Hayes, J.C., Hoppe, E.W., Hossbach, T.W., Keillor, M.E., Kephart, J.D., McIntyre, J.I., Seifert, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2009
• Subjects: Aerosol; Aerosols; Air Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Air Pollutants, Radioactive - standards; AIR SAMPLERS; BACKGROUND RADIATION; CTBT; IMS; International Cooperation; Internationality; MONITORING; NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION; Radiation Monitoring - methods; Radiation Monitoring - standards; RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS; Radioisotopes - analysis; RASA; Ultra-low-background; VERIFICATION; Ultra-low-background; Rasa; CTBT; Aerosol; IMS
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.01.069

The International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty includes a network of stations and laboratories for collection and analysis of radioactive aerosols. Alternative approaches to IMS operations are considered as a method of enhancing treaty verification. Ultra-low background (ULB) detection promises the possibility of improvements to IMS minimum detectable activities (MDAs) well below the current approach, requiring MDA⩽30
μBq/m
3 of air for
140Ba, or about 10
6 fissions per daily sample.