The illicit trafficking of special nuclear materials(SNMs)poses a grave threat to global security and necessitates the development of effective nuclear material identification methods.This study investigated a method ...The illicit trafficking of special nuclear materials(SNMs)poses a grave threat to global security and necessitates the development of effective nuclear material identification methods.This study investigated a method to isotopically identify the SNMs,including^(233,235,238)U,^(239-242)Pu,and^(232)Th,based on the detection of delayedγ-rays from photofission fragments.The delayedγ-ray spectra resulting from the photofission of SNMs irradiated by a 14 MeVγbeam with a total of 10~9 were simulated using Geant4.Three high-yield fission fragments,namely^(138)Cs,^(89)Rb,and^(94)Y,were selected as candidate fragments for SNM identification.The yield ratios of these three fragments were calculated,and the results from the different SNMs were compared.The yield ratio of^(138)Cs/^(89)Rb was used to identify most SNMs,including^(233,235,238)U,^(242)Pu,and^(232)Th,with a confidence level above 95%.To identify^(239-241)Pu with the same confidence,a higher total number of 10^(11)γbeams is required.However,although the^(94)Y/^(89)Rb ratio is suitable for elementally identifying SNMs,isotopic identification is difficult.In addition,the count rate of the delayedγabove 3 MeV can be used to rapidly detect the presence of nuclear materials.展开更多
Photofission fragments mass yield for^(232)Th,^(234;238) U,^(237) Np, and^(239;240;242) Pu isotopes are investigated.The calculations are done using a developed approach based on Gorodisskiy's phenomenological for...Photofission fragments mass yield for^(232)Th,^(234;238) U,^(237) Np, and^(239;240;242) Pu isotopes are investigated.The calculations are done using a developed approach based on Gorodisskiy's phenomenological formalism. The Gorodisskiy's method is developed to be applied for the neutron-induced fission. Here we revised it for application to photofission. The effect of emitted neutron prior to fission on the fission fragment mass yields has also been studied. The peak-to-valley ratio is extracted for the240 Pu isotope as a function of energy. Obtained results of the present formalism are compared with the available experimental data. Satisfactory agreement is achieved between the results of present approach and the experimental data.展开更多
Photofission enables a unique capability for the domain of non-chemical space propulsion. An ultra-intense laser enables the capacity to induce nuclear fission through the development of bre- msstrahlung photons. A fu...Photofission enables a unique capability for the domain of non-chemical space propulsion. An ultra-intense laser enables the capacity to induce nuclear fission through the development of bre- msstrahlung photons. A fundamental architecture and performance analysis of a photofission pulsed space propulsion system through the operation of an ultra-intense laser is presented. A historical perspective of previous conceptual nuclear fission propulsion systems is addressed. These applications use neutron derived nuclear fission;however, there is inherent complexity that has precluded further development. The background of photofission is detailed. The conceptual architecture of photofission pulsed space propulsion and fundamental performance parameters are established. The implications are the energy source and ultra-intense laser can be situated far remote from the propulsion system. Advances in supporting laser technologies are anticipated to increase the potential for photofission pulsed space propulsion. The fundamental performance analysis of the photofission pulsed space propulsion system indicates the architecture is feasible for further evaluation.展开更多
Project New Orion entails a pulsed nuclear space propulsion system that utilizes photofission through the implementation of an ultra-intense laser. The historical origins derive from the endeavors of Project Orion, wh...Project New Orion entails a pulsed nuclear space propulsion system that utilizes photofission through the implementation of an ultra-intense laser. The historical origins derive from the endeavors of Project Orion, which utilized thermonuclear devices to impart a considerable velocity increment on the respective spacecraft. The shear magnitude of Project Orion significantly detracts from the likelihood of progressive research development testing and evaluation. Project New Orion incorporates a more feasible pathway for the progressive research development testing and evaluation of the pulsed nuclear space propulsion system. Photofission through the application of an ultra-intense laser enables a much more controllable and scalable nuclear yield. The energy source for the ultra-intense laser is derived from a first stage liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen chemical propulsion system. A portion of the thermal/kinetic energy of the rocket propulsive fluid is converted to electrical energy through a magneto-hydrodynamic generator with cryogenic propellant densification for facilitating the integral superconducting magnets. Fundamental analysis of Project New Orion demonstrates the capacity to impart a meaningful velocity increment through ultra-intense laser derived photofission on a small spacecraft.展开更多
A reasonable prediction of photofission observables plays a paramount role in understanding the photofission process and guiding various photofission-induced applications,such as short-lived isotope production,nuclear...A reasonable prediction of photofission observables plays a paramount role in understanding the photofission process and guiding various photofission-induced applications,such as short-lived isotope production,nuclear waste disposal,and nuclear safeguards.However,the available experimental data for photofission observables are limited,and the existing models and programs have mainly been developed for neutron-induced fission processes.In this study,a general framework is proposed for characterizing the photofission observables of actinides,including the mass yield distributions(MYD) and isobaric charge distributions(ICD) of fission fragments and the multiplicity and energy distributions of prompt neutrons(n_(p)) and prompt γ rays(γ_(p)).The framework encompasses various systematic neutron models and empirical models considering the Bohr hypothesis and does not rely on the experimental data as input.These models are then validated individually against experimental data at an average excitation energy below 30 MeV,which shows the reliability and robustness of the general framework.Finally,we employ this framework to predict the characteristics of photofission fragments and the emissions of prompt particles for typical actinides including ^(232)Th,^(235,238)U and ^(240)Pu.It is found that the ^(238)U(γ,f) reaction is more suitable for producing neutron-rich nuclei compared to the ^(232)Th(γ,f) reaction.In addition,the average multiplicity number of both n_(p) and yp increases with the average excitation energy.展开更多
A pulsed fast neutron source is critical for applications of fast neutron resonance radiography and fast neutron absorption spectroscopy.However,due to the large transversal source size(of the order of mm)and long pul...A pulsed fast neutron source is critical for applications of fast neutron resonance radiography and fast neutron absorption spectroscopy.However,due to the large transversal source size(of the order of mm)and long pulse duration(of the order of ns)of traditional pulsed fast neutron sources,it is difficult to realize high-contrast neutron imaging with high spatial resolution and a fine absorption spectrum.Here,we experimentally present a micro-size ultra-short pulsed neutron source by a table-top laser-plasma wakefield electron accelerator driving a photofission reaction in a thin metal converter.A fast neutron source with source size of approximately 500μm and duration of approximately 36 ps has been driven by a tens of MeV,collimated,micro-size electron beam via a hundred TW laser facility.This micro-size ultra-short pulsed neutron source has the potential to improve the energy resolution of a fast neutron absorption spectrum dozens of times to,for example,approximately 100 eV at 1.65 MeV,which could be of benefit for high-quality fast neutron imaging and deep understanding of the theoretical model of neutron physics.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(No.2022YFA1603300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U2230133,12305266,11921006,12405282)National Grand Instrument Project(No.2019YFF01014400)。
文摘The illicit trafficking of special nuclear materials(SNMs)poses a grave threat to global security and necessitates the development of effective nuclear material identification methods.This study investigated a method to isotopically identify the SNMs,including^(233,235,238)U,^(239-242)Pu,and^(232)Th,based on the detection of delayedγ-rays from photofission fragments.The delayedγ-ray spectra resulting from the photofission of SNMs irradiated by a 14 MeVγbeam with a total of 10~9 were simulated using Geant4.Three high-yield fission fragments,namely^(138)Cs,^(89)Rb,and^(94)Y,were selected as candidate fragments for SNM identification.The yield ratios of these three fragments were calculated,and the results from the different SNMs were compared.The yield ratio of^(138)Cs/^(89)Rb was used to identify most SNMs,including^(233,235,238)U,^(242)Pu,and^(232)Th,with a confidence level above 95%.To identify^(239-241)Pu with the same confidence,a higher total number of 10^(11)γbeams is required.However,although the^(94)Y/^(89)Rb ratio is suitable for elementally identifying SNMs,isotopic identification is difficult.In addition,the count rate of the delayedγabove 3 MeV can be used to rapidly detect the presence of nuclear materials.
文摘Photofission fragments mass yield for^(232)Th,^(234;238) U,^(237) Np, and^(239;240;242) Pu isotopes are investigated.The calculations are done using a developed approach based on Gorodisskiy's phenomenological formalism. The Gorodisskiy's method is developed to be applied for the neutron-induced fission. Here we revised it for application to photofission. The effect of emitted neutron prior to fission on the fission fragment mass yields has also been studied. The peak-to-valley ratio is extracted for the240 Pu isotope as a function of energy. Obtained results of the present formalism are compared with the available experimental data. Satisfactory agreement is achieved between the results of present approach and the experimental data.
文摘Photofission enables a unique capability for the domain of non-chemical space propulsion. An ultra-intense laser enables the capacity to induce nuclear fission through the development of bre- msstrahlung photons. A fundamental architecture and performance analysis of a photofission pulsed space propulsion system through the operation of an ultra-intense laser is presented. A historical perspective of previous conceptual nuclear fission propulsion systems is addressed. These applications use neutron derived nuclear fission;however, there is inherent complexity that has precluded further development. The background of photofission is detailed. The conceptual architecture of photofission pulsed space propulsion and fundamental performance parameters are established. The implications are the energy source and ultra-intense laser can be situated far remote from the propulsion system. Advances in supporting laser technologies are anticipated to increase the potential for photofission pulsed space propulsion. The fundamental performance analysis of the photofission pulsed space propulsion system indicates the architecture is feasible for further evaluation.
文摘Project New Orion entails a pulsed nuclear space propulsion system that utilizes photofission through the implementation of an ultra-intense laser. The historical origins derive from the endeavors of Project Orion, which utilized thermonuclear devices to impart a considerable velocity increment on the respective spacecraft. The shear magnitude of Project Orion significantly detracts from the likelihood of progressive research development testing and evaluation. Project New Orion incorporates a more feasible pathway for the progressive research development testing and evaluation of the pulsed nuclear space propulsion system. Photofission through the application of an ultra-intense laser enables a much more controllable and scalable nuclear yield. The energy source for the ultra-intense laser is derived from a first stage liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen chemical propulsion system. A portion of the thermal/kinetic energy of the rocket propulsive fluid is converted to electrical energy through a magneto-hydrodynamic generator with cryogenic propellant densification for facilitating the integral superconducting magnets. Fundamental analysis of Project New Orion demonstrates the capacity to impart a meaningful velocity increment through ultra-intense laser derived photofission on a small spacecraft.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11675075)Independent research project of key laboratory of plasma physics,CAEP(JCKYS2021212009)Hengyang Municipal Science and Technology Project (202150054076)。
文摘A reasonable prediction of photofission observables plays a paramount role in understanding the photofission process and guiding various photofission-induced applications,such as short-lived isotope production,nuclear waste disposal,and nuclear safeguards.However,the available experimental data for photofission observables are limited,and the existing models and programs have mainly been developed for neutron-induced fission processes.In this study,a general framework is proposed for characterizing the photofission observables of actinides,including the mass yield distributions(MYD) and isobaric charge distributions(ICD) of fission fragments and the multiplicity and energy distributions of prompt neutrons(n_(p)) and prompt γ rays(γ_(p)).The framework encompasses various systematic neutron models and empirical models considering the Bohr hypothesis and does not rely on the experimental data as input.These models are then validated individually against experimental data at an average excitation energy below 30 MeV,which shows the reliability and robustness of the general framework.Finally,we employ this framework to predict the characteristics of photofission fragments and the emissions of prompt particles for typical actinides including ^(232)Th,^(235,238)U and ^(240)Pu.It is found that the ^(238)U(γ,f) reaction is more suitable for producing neutron-rich nuclei compared to the ^(232)Th(γ,f) reaction.In addition,the average multiplicity number of both n_(p) and yp increases with the average excitation energy.
基金supported by the Science Challenge Project(No.TZ2018005)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.11875191,11991073,11890710,and 11721404)+2 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the CAS(Nos.XDB1602 and XDA01020304)the Key Program of CAS(Nos.XDA01020304 and XDB17030500)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFA0403301)。
文摘A pulsed fast neutron source is critical for applications of fast neutron resonance radiography and fast neutron absorption spectroscopy.However,due to the large transversal source size(of the order of mm)and long pulse duration(of the order of ns)of traditional pulsed fast neutron sources,it is difficult to realize high-contrast neutron imaging with high spatial resolution and a fine absorption spectrum.Here,we experimentally present a micro-size ultra-short pulsed neutron source by a table-top laser-plasma wakefield electron accelerator driving a photofission reaction in a thin metal converter.A fast neutron source with source size of approximately 500μm and duration of approximately 36 ps has been driven by a tens of MeV,collimated,micro-size electron beam via a hundred TW laser facility.This micro-size ultra-short pulsed neutron source has the potential to improve the energy resolution of a fast neutron absorption spectrum dozens of times to,for example,approximately 100 eV at 1.65 MeV,which could be of benefit for high-quality fast neutron imaging and deep understanding of the theoretical model of neutron physics.
