Cooperation on the Development of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Technology for Curium Ratio Monitoring

Curium balancing technology is used to measure neutrons that are released from the chemically generated curium within spent nuclear fuels or nuclear materials processed in hot cells, such as the Direct Use of Spent PWR Fuel in CANDU (DUPIC) or the Advanced Spent Fuel Conditioning Process (ACP). The content of plutonium is then calculated using the Pu/Cm ratio. Nuclear material accounting is a crucial process in the application of safeguards in the nuclear fuel cycle. In an analysis of the characteristics of high-level radioactive nuclear materials under harsh circumstances, such as those in a hot cell or a glove box, conventional chemical analysis requires considerable time and cost. There are also limitations related to sample movement. Against this backdrop, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) serves as a technology capable of addressing the various constraints. LIBS technology can be used to analyze all elements in the periodic table at varying sensitivity levels. Requiring virtually no pre-treatment of test samples, it can be applied to a wide variety of samples and enables quick and nearly real-time analysis. For this reason, LIBS-based analysis is a non-destructive assay technique that generates no waste, saves time and cost significantly and enables system modification in various forms in accordance with user settings. This equipment is installed not simply to analyze the characteristics of high-level radioactive nuclear materials but also to develop algorithms that can be applied by next-generation nuclear material accounting technologies. We are currently building a laboratory and procuring equipment that enables the use of U-samples