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Nov. 21, 2002

John T. Mihalczo, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge Multiple Attribute System (ORMAS) For PU, HEU, HE, And Chemical Agents

The concept for the Oak Ridge Multiple Attribute System (ORMAS) is a Nuclear Materials Identification System (NMIS) time-dependent coincidence processor that incorporates gamma ray spectrometry and utilizes a small, lightweight, portable DT neutron (14.1 MeV) generator (1 X 107 n/s), proton recoil scintillation detectors, and a gamma ray detector (HPGe). ORMAS is based on detecting (1) neutrons and gamma rays from fission induced by the source neutrons, (2) neutrons transmitted through the object if it is between the source and detector, (3) neutrons and gamma rays from scattering and capture of source neutrons, and gamma ray detection of natural emissions from uranium and plutonium. The system hardware and software can be configured to obtain the following: Pu presence, Pu mass, Pu 240/239 ratio, Pu geometry, Pu metal vs. non metal (absence of metal), time (age) since processing for Pu, U presence, U mass, U enrichment, U geometry, U metal vs. non metal (absence of metal), high explosives, chemical weapons, and in some cases, drugs. It could easily be adapted to utilize a trusted processor that incorporates information barrier and authentication techniques using open software and then be useful in some international applications for materials whose characteristics may be classified.