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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the US DHS/DNDO National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center (HSHQDC-14-X-00028) and US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security administration for jointly funding the project at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the US Government. This document is LA-UR-15-29559.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    Benjamin L. Byerly, Floyd Stanley, Khal Spencer, Lisa Colletti, Katherine Garduno, Kevin Kuhn, Elmer Lujan, Alex Martinez, Donivan Porterfield, Jung Rim, Mike Schappert, Mariam Thomas, Lisa Townsend, Ning Xu & Lav Tandon

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  1. Benjamin L. Byerly
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  2. Floyd Stanley
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Correspondence to Benjamin L. Byerly.

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Byerly, B.L., Stanley, F., Spencer, K. et al. Forensic investigation of plutonium metal: a case study of CRM 126. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 310, 623–632 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4919-x

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