A beginner's guide to uranium chronometry in nuclear forensics and safeguards

Abstract

Nuclear forensics and international safeguards are rising in importance in the face of increasing concerns over the illicit production and trafficking of nuclear materials worldwide. One of the most valuable approaches in such efforts is the chronometric investigation (“age-dating”) of collected/interdicted materials; well-designed chronometric schemes may simultaneously provide insight into a sample's composition, enrichment history, and the time elapsed since last purification. Given the importance of this analytical approach in obtaining valuable material signatures, a thorough understanding of age-dating principles and special concerns will be of significant value to the rising generation of scientists interrogating nuclear materials collected around the world. In this work, the fundamental concepts of uranium chronometry are discussed, along with several unique concerns and recent applications associated with the use of age-dating approaches in this manner. As significant work remains to be done in these fields, several potential concepts for future development are also highlighted.