This paper analyzes several prevalent misconceptions about nuclear fuel cycles that breed fissile uranium-233 from thorium. Its main conclusions are: a Uranium-233, despite the gamma radioactivity of associated isotopes, is a rather attractive material for making fission bombs, and is a credible material for subnational as well as national groups to use for this purpose. e "Pure" thorium cycles...

UO2 is the standard nuclear fuel used in modern, conventional power reactors (e.g. PWR, BWR and AGR). The oxide phase of fissile uranium provides the necessary thermodynamic stability required in operating conditions. It then follows that an extensive knowledge of the properties of this material is necessary. Unfortunately, experimental research is costly, especially if fission products are con...

Fission-product gamma-ray line pairs sensitive to fissile material and neutron energy R.E. Marrs a, , E.B. Norman , J.T. Burke , R.A. Macri , H.A. Shugart , E. Browne , A.R. Smith d a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA b Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA c Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, ...

The present paper describes the individual analytical methodologies (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Alpha Spectrometry) that were developed for uranium age determination and discusses their advantages and drawbacks. With respect to a potential application of the methods (e.g. Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty), the discussion focuses on high...

Abolishing the threat of nuclear war requires the outlawing of nuclear weapons and dismantling current nuclear weapon stockpiles, but also depends on eliminating access to fissile material (nuclear weapon fuel). The near-universal use of weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium (HEU) to produce radiopharmaceuticals is a significant proliferation hazard. Health professionals have a strategic oppor...

. Dr. William C. Potter is the Director of the Program for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. This essay is his prepared testimony submitted to the Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations, and Human Rights of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on June 27, 1994. Thank you very much Mr. Chairman and ...

The use of a Lead Slowing-Down Spectrometer (LSDS) is considered as a possible option for nondestructive assay of fissile material in used (spent) nuclear fuel. The primary objective is to quantify the remaining fissile content of the fuel consisting mainly of Pu and U. The characterization of spent fuel is particularly important for nuclear safeguards and for determining the fuel burn-up level...