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DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
J. F. Latkowski
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 956-959
Safety and Environment | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963364
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In December 1999 and January 2000, a 40-cm-thick spherical shell of sprayable concrete (“gunite”) was applied to the exterior surface of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) target chamber. Glow-discharge mass spectroscopy has been used to determine the elemental composition of multiple gunite samples, which were collected at the time of application. These measured compositions are compared to the anticipated composition and both are used for neutron activation calculations. Contact dose rates are reported and implications for doses rates during operation and for the eventual facility decommissioning are discussed.