Development of Laser-Based Techniques for Identification of Breached Nuclear Fuel Elements in Storage. Progress Report, 1 October 1978-1 September 1979

摘要

From many possible laser-based techniques of atomic and molecular spectroscopy we have selected multiphoton ionization spectroscopy (MIS) as that one technique which best conforms to the constraints imposed by the problem of identifying breached nuclear fuel assemblies in storage. We describe experiments utilizing MIS to specifically and sensitively detect xenon (Xe) and nitric oxide (NO). We therefore experimentally demonstrate the applicability of this technique to the detection of volatile fission products leaking from breached nuclear fuel assemblies stored in water cooled basins. Even for the non-ideal circumstances of these preliminary experiments, we estimate a detection limit of 10 exp 10 atoms/cm exp 3 for xenon, roughly 1% of the atmospheric content of xenon at sea level. (ERA citation 05:030263)