Comprehensive Analysis of Proliferation Protection of Uranium due to the Presence of 232U and its Decay Products

Abstract

For a comprehensive assessment of the protection of uranium against proliferation due to the presence of uranium-232 in it, the authors of the article propose and substantiate an integral protection criterion for this material. The criterion is based on the physical barriers against the proliferation of uranium created by uranium-232, namely: (1) the radiolysis of uranium hexafluoride, which hinders attempts to re-enrich uranium and, as a result, a significant critical mass; (2) hard γ-radiation, which leads to incapacity and death of those who try to handle this material without radiation protection; (3) increased heat release, which disables the components of a nuclear explosive device; and (4) a significant source of neutrons that causes predetonation and thereby reduces the energy yield of a nuclear explosive device. These barriers appear at various stages of uranium handling not only in the indicated order but also act simultaneously, mutually reinforcing one another.