For decades JRC has supported DG ENER and the IAEA, developing safeguards systems and assisting with the on-site installation of innovative solutions to complex problems.
More recently, a vast number of commercially available technologies -like laser scanners, miniaturized cameras, computer processing boards and displays- has allowed to engineer more sophisticated systems.
The four examples below demonstrate the diverse optical technologies that the JRC is employing to support nuclear safeguards.
Laser Mapping for Containment Verification
The Laser Mapping for Containment Verification (LMCV) is an easy-to-use and approved safeguards instrument, employed for validating the authenticity of spent nuclear fuel containers.
The instrument is operated by an inspector and reads the 3-dimensional structure of the container's lid closure welds using a laser and dedicated camera. The authenticity is proved by comparing a 3-dimensional surface analysis against a reference dataset, which confirms that the weld and surrounding metallic structure have not been opened or altered. This instrument provides a fast and effective way to assist the inspectors to validate the complete stock of containers in an installation during a Physical Inventory Verification. The instrument is currently in operation by both DG ENER and the IAEA.
Embedded Universal Seal Reader
Several seals can be used by nuclear inspectors to immobilize an equipment or to prevent an object to be altered. A large number of passive and active seals are applied every day. However, in order to verify the active seals in the field, an inspector needs to bring a computer. Whereas for passive seals, another device with a camera is needed. The JRC has since a few years developed a new portable device that can read most common passive and active seals. This universal device is called the Embedded Universal Seal Reader (EUSR).
Using modern commercially available components, the small hand-carried reading platform includes an exchangeable seal-reading mount. The main module can read present and future active seals (Left and Top right) and a dedicated reading module can be applied to read passive seals (Bottom right). This makes it possible to verify most seals deployed in the the field. The Embedded Universal Seal Reader is easy to use and requires minimal training.
Surface authentication system
To support future safeguards challenges, the JRC has developed the prototype of a surface authentication system based on Coherent Scanning Interferometry (CSI).
It is initially conceived to authenticate spent fuel encapsulation canisters before and after transport operations, which are outside the immediate control of nuclear safeguards.
The working principle is based on coherent scanning interferometry where white light is used as the main light source. By scanning the object, interferometric coherence occurs in various places on the surface. Through post-processing of the scans, it is possible to accurately reconstruct the surface topology.
The technique resolves the shallow topography of engraving traces in the canister identifier tag as a fingerprint used to authenticate the surface, as can be seen in the figure below. The current challenge is to translate this technique into a portable, fully automated authentication system for the field.
New concept for a safeguards camera
JRC is working on a new concept for a nuclear safeguards' camera using commercially available components. The purpose is to develop an extendable and configurable system that includes a camera with advanced image processing. Additional resources such as enhanced processing power, laser scanners and gamma detectors can be added as needed.
