Systems and Methods for Evaluation of Potentially Irradiated Objects Using Oxygen-17 Detection
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Authors
Kartalov, Emil Paskalev
Gamache, Raymond M.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2019-07-16
Date
Publisher
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Language
Abstract
A system for detection of a potentially irradiated object utilizing oxygen - 17 (¹⁷0) quantities in a local atmosphere contacting the potentially irradiated object. The local atmosphere comprises nitrogen - 14 (¹⁴N) and is typically air. The ¹⁷0 quantity in the local atmosphere is determined through sampling using mass spectroscopy, nuclear resonance magnetic imaging, gas chromatography, or some other method. The ¹⁷0 quantity in the local atmosphere is compared to a baseline quantity of ¹⁷0 and deviations are treated as an indicator that a nuclear reaction converting ¹⁴N to ¹⁷0 has occurred or is occurring. Typically the local atmosphere is isolated to some degree from an external atmosphere via some type of enclosure or container, and the external atmosphere provides the baseline quantity of ¹⁷0 used for the comparison.
Type
Patent
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Identifiers
US 10,352,915 B1
NPS Report Number
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Funding
Format
13 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.