Proposal of nondestructive radionuclide assay using a high-flux gamma-ray source and nuclear resonance fluorescence

Abstract

A nondestructive assay system for radioactive waste management is proposed. The system utilizes nuclear resonance fluorescence triggered by a quasi-monochromatic high-flux gamma ray generated from the Compton scattering of laser photons by relativistic electrons. We employ an energy-recovery linac as an electron source and a mode-locked fiber laser followed by a laser supercavity as a photon source. The combination of these novel technologies realizes a gamma-ray flux much higher than existing sources using electron storage rings. The proposed gamma-ray source produces a quasi-monochromatic gamma ray with a flux of 1010/s/keV, which is high enough for industrial applications such as the nondestructive analysis of radionuclides in nuclear waste and the interrogation of fissile material in cargoes. The nuclear resonance fluorescence triggered by quasi-monochromatic gamma rays provides a versatile method of nondestructive analysis of both radioactive and stable nuclides. © 2008 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.