Scientists Develop New CT Scanner to Image Nuclear Weapon Components

Science Daily ^ | 1/26/2010 | Science Daily

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has announced that it recently completed the installation and successful startup of a new surveillance diagnostic tool that is capable of detecting aging defects on critical components in the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile.

In response to NNSA's need to implement cost effective, optimized inspection of nuclear components (also known as "surveillance transformation"), scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) teamed with NNSA's Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, to develop a new X-ray computed tomography (CT) system to image nuclear weapon components. The new CT scan will enhance NNSA's surveillance program by providing a precise non-destructive means for the detection of aging phenomena on nuclear weapon components for evaluation of potential impact, and to provide a basis for assuring a high level of confidence in their continued performance.

"This new system is a prime example of NNSA's ability to leverage the best science and technology in the world to solve complex national security challenges and highlights our commitment to transforming a Cold War nuclear weapons complex into a 21st century nuclear security enterprise," said NNSA Administrator Thomas P. D'Agostino. "We are fortunate to have dedicated scientists working together from across the nuclear security enterprise to develop cutting-edge tools to monitor aging in critical weapon components."

This new, state-of-the-art nondestructive tool is similar in concept to CT scanners used by doctors and hospitals to get a view inside the human body without exploratory surgery.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

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