Donivan R. Porterfield

Forensic investigation of plutonium metal: a case study of CRM 126

In this study, a certified plutonium metal reference material (CRM 126) with a known production history is examined using analytical methods that are commonly employed in nuclear forensics for provenancing and attribution. The measured plutonium isotopic composition and actinide assay are consistent with values reported on the reference material certificate. Model ages from U/Pu and Am/Pu chronometers agree with the documented production timeline. The results confirm the utility of these analytical methods and highlight the importance of a holistic approach for forensic study of unknown materials.

Developing Diagnostic Tools for Low-Burnup Reactor Samples

We test common fluence diagnostics in the regime of very low burnup natural uranium reactor samples. The fluence diagnostics considered are the uranium isotopics ratios

Chemical investigation of three plutonium–beryllium neutron sources

^{235}

Nuclear forensic analysis of a non-traditional actinide sample

U/

Report on proposed improvements to FRAM uncertainty

^{238}

Analytical Chemistry Developmental Work Using a 243Am Solution

U and

Analytical Chemistry and Materials Characterization Results for Debris Recovered from Nitrate Salt Waste Drum S855793

^{236}

Nuclear, chemical, and physical characterization of nuclear materials

U/

Replacement of lead bricks with non-hazardous polymer-bismuth for low-energy gamma shielding

^{235}

Dissolution and assay of neptunium oxide

U, for which we find simple analytic formulas agree well with full reactor simulation predictions. Both ratios agree reasonably well with one another for fluences in the mid