Nuclear Forensics using Gamma-ray Spectroscopy

Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA

^a e-mail: ebnorman@lbl.gov

Published online: 5 September 2016

Abstract

Much of George Dracoulis’s research career was devoted to utilising gamma-ray spectroscopy in fundamental studies in nuclear physics. This same technology is useful in a wide range of applications in the area of nuclear forensics. Over the last several years, our research group has made use of both high- and low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometers to: identify the first sample of plutonium large enough to be weighed; determine the yield of the Trinity nuclear explosion; measure fission fragment yields as a function of target nucleus and neutron energy; and observe fallout in the U. S. from the Fukushima nuclear reactor accident.