Development of a photoionisation spectrometer for detection of atmospheric 85Kr

Abstract

A higher than baseline atmospheric concentration of the radioactive fission product 85Kr is considered to be the best indicator of clandestine plutonium separation. Additionally, its high volatility makes it suitable for detecting leaks in nuclear waste containers and damaged fuel cladding. A spectrometer for ultra-trace analysis is currently under development and will be optimised for atmospheric monitoring of 85Kr. This device is based on an adapted form of collinear resonance ionisation spectroscopy, a technique developed at ISOLDE-CERN for performing precision measurements on exotic nuclei. The motivation for this device is explored, along with an overview of progress and future developments.