Researchers at NIST and Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new transition-edge sensor designed to identify the specific isotopes of plutonium. This device uses superconducting technology to measure radiation energy with ten times better resolution than existing methods, allowing it to distinguish between isotopes like Pu-239 and Pu-240 without the signal overlap that complicates traditional detectors. By incorporating samples directly into the sensor, the team eliminated the need for complex magnetic fields used in mass spectrometry.
The primary benefit of this design is a drastic reduction in analysis time, cutting the process from several days down to approximately one day. This speed is critical for nuclear forensics and safety, where rapid identification of material origin and intended use is essential for non-proliferation efforts. The device has already been tested against mass spectrometers, showing strong agreement with results obtained much faster.
Currently, the new sensor design has been detailed in the journal *Analytical Chemistry* following successful testing. The engineering team used silicon beams to make the sensor robust enough to handle the physical bonding required for sample placement. This advancement builds on decades of work at NIST, potentially expanding the use of quantum-based sensors in security and industrial monitoring applications.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2015/03/getting-critical-edge-plutonium-identification
Keywords: transition-edge sensor, plutonium isotopes, nuclear forensics
