Measurement of 37Ar to support technology for On-site Inspection under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

C. E. Aalseth; A. R. Day; D. A. Haas; E. W. Hoppe; B. J. Hyronimus; M. E. Keillor; E. K. Mace; J. L. Orrell; A. Seifert; V. T. Woods

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2010.09.135

arXiv · 1008.0691

Measurement of 37Ar to support technology for On-site Inspection under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

C. E. Aalseth·A. R. Day·D. A. Haas·E. W. Hoppe·B. J. Hyronimus·M. E. Keillor·E. K. Mace·J. L. Orrell·A. Seifert·V. T. Woods

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Abstract

On-Site Inspection (OSI) is a key component of the verification regime for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Measurements of radionuclide isotopes created by an underground nuclear explosion are a valuable signature of a Treaty violation. Argon-37 is produced from neutron interaction with calcium in soil, 40Ca(n,{\alpha})37Ar. For OSI, the 35-day half-life of 37Ar provides both high specific activity and sufficient time for completion of an inspection before decay limits sensitivity. This paper presents a low-background internal-source gas proportional counter with an 37Ar measurement sensitivity level equivalent to 45.1 mBq/SCM in whole air.

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C. E. Aalseth, A. R. Day, D. A. Haas, E. W. Hoppe, B. J. Hyronimus, M. E. Keillor, E. K. Mace, J. L. Orrell, A. Seifert, V. T. Woods. 2010-08-04. Measurement of 37Ar to support technology for On-site Inspection under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2010.09.135

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