monitoring

UNCLASSIFIED
DEFENSE SCIENCE BOARD | DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Figure 5‐1 Improve Tools: Both Cooperative and Unilateral Measures Rely on
Monitoring Tools to “Access‐Sense‐Assess‐Iterate”
5.2. Access Globally
Improving access is essential for making progress against the low and/or obscured signal of
incipient proliferators. A principal benefit of expanded cooperative regimes, as discussed in
Chapter 2, is the access it affords. However, many scenarios could require access in areas
where access is difficult. Improvements across the board are needed.
5.3. Sensing: Radiation Detection
The detection of radiation emitted by enriched uranium or plutonium coupled with the
identification of the source of the radiation has been regarded as the gold standard for
monitoring SNM in process, in transit, and in storage; as material to be manufactured, as
components for, or integrated in reactors or weapons, as spent or retired material. The
radiation usually comes in the form of gamma rays and thermal or fast neutrons. There are a
number of different detector systems in use and many more under active research and
development. This section of the report describes the range of technologies and applications
being pursued, as well as the role of the several government agencies that develop or use
radiation detectors.
5.3.1. Applications and Limitations
There is a wide range of potential applications for radiation detectors in the general area of
monitoring and verification. Such detectors play an integral role in treaty verification. They are
an essential element of on‐site inspections for treaties and IAEA–type inspections. They are
used to confirm nuclear material types and inventories under bilateral or multilateral
agreements below the formal level of treaties. They are required for scanning at border
DSB TASK FORCE REPORT Chapter 5: Improve the Tools: Access, Sense, Assess | 53
Nuclear Treaty Monitoring Verification Technologies
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