The New Nuclear Forensics
Analysis of Nuclear Materials for Security Purposes
Published on 13. August 2015
Book
Hardback
310 pages
978-0-19-873664-6 (ISBN)
Description
Nuclear forensics is the science of determining the history of a sample of radioactive material through the study of the material's characteristics. While nuclear forensic analysis has normally been associated with investigations and prosecutions in the context of trafficking of nuclear materials or nuclear terrorism, it has wider applications in various national security contexts, such as nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control.
The New Nuclear Forensics provides a survey and an analysis of the scientific discipline of nuclear forensic analysis, and the way it is applied to specific issues of international peace and security, from the 1940s to the present day. This book describes the various methods used in nuclear forensics, giving first a general introduction to the process followed by details of relevant measurement techniques and procedures. In each case, the advantages and limitations are outlined. It uses a language and methodology that opens the issue of nuclear forensics and its potential applications to a non-specialist readership.
The New Nuclear Forensics provides a survey and an analysis of the scientific discipline of nuclear forensic analysis, and the way it is applied to specific issues of international peace and security, from the 1940s to the present day. This book describes the various methods used in nuclear forensics, giving first a general introduction to the process followed by details of relevant measurement techniques and procedures. In each case, the advantages and limitations are outlined. It uses a language and methodology that opens the issue of nuclear forensics and its potential applications to a non-specialist readership.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
631 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-873664-6 (9780198736646)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Vitaly Fedchenko is a Senior Researcher at SIPRI, where his research focuses on nuclear security issues and the political, technological, and educational dimensions of nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. Previously, he worked at the Center for Policy Studies in Russia (PIR Center) and the Institute for Applied International Research (IAIR), Moscow. His publications include Reforming Nuclear Export Controls: The Future of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, SIPRI Research Report no. 22 (2007, co-author).
Content
1. Introduction: Analysis of Nuclear Materials for Security Purposes ; PART I. NUCLEAR FORENSIC METHODS ; 2. The Process of Nuclear Forensic Analysis ; Appendix 2A. Basic Facts and Definitions Related to Measurements ; 3. Inorganic Mass Spectrometry as a Tool of Destructive Nuclear Forensic Analysis ; 4. Gamma Spectroscopy as a Tool of Non-destructive Nuclear Forensic Analysis ; 5. Sample Characteristics and Nuclear Forensic Signatures ; 6. Radionuclides and Signatures Relevant for Post-explosion Environments ; PART II. NUCLEAR FORENSICS IN PRACTICE ; 7. The Origins of Nuclear Forensic Analysis I: the United States and the Soviet Union ; 8. The Origins of Nuclear Forensic Analysis II: analysis of nuclear weapon debris in Sweden ; Appendix 8A Detection by Sweden of Chinese Nuclear Tests in the Atmosphere ; 9. Applications of Nuclear Forensic Analysis