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DOE OSTI · 1223194

Far Field Modeling Methods For Characterizing Surface Detonations

Garrett, Alfred
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Abstract

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyzed particle samples collected during experiments that were designed to replicate tests of nuclear weapons components that involve detonation of high explosives (HE). SRNL collected the particle samples in the HE debris cloud using innovative rocket propelled samplers. SRNL used scanning electronic microscopy to determine the elemental constituents of the particles and their size distributions. Depleted uranium composed about 7% of the particle contents. SRNL used the particle size distributions and elemental composition to perform transport calculations that indicate in many terrains and atmospheric conditions the uranium bearing particles will be transported long distances downwind. This research established that HE tests specific to nuclear proliferation should be detectable at long downwind distances by sampling airborne particles created by the test detonations.

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45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION

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Garrett, Alfred. 2015-10-08. Far Field Modeling Methods For Characterizing Surface Detonations. https://doi.org/10.2172/1223194

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