Nuclear Material Tracers

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems and methods for creating tracer nuclear materials. In one aspect, a Compact Fusion Neutron Source (CFNS) as described herein, can be used to create tracer isotopes to be added to fissile fuels to aid in anti-proliferation, though other methods of creating isotopes are contemplated. The generation of the isotopes require (n,2n) reactions, which can be caused by the high energy neutrons created by fusion. Potential tracer isotopes include U232, Th228 and Pu236, although other isotopes may be used. Such tracer isotopes can be created (such as by a CFNS), and then added to fissile materials at some stage of their processing. This abstract is intended for use as a scanning tool only and is not intended to be limiting.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.