Simulation study of physical cryptographic verification of nuclear warheads based on NRF excited by LCS γ-ray source

Abstract

The nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) can provide a unique physical fingerprint, and had played an important role in the physical cryptographic verification of nuclear warheads on bremsstrahlung-based system. In this work, an alternative method using laser-Compton scattering (LCS) γ-ray source to excite NRF for physical cryptographic verification of nuclear warheads is proposed, and Monte Carlo simulation is performed by Geant4. This research indicates that the LCS-based system exhibits a high discernment capability for isotope hoaxes and geometric hoaxes, while maintaining low radiation dose. Moreover, it exhibits a more effective ability to avoid leakage of isotopic and geometric information, and is believed that the LCS-based system has better safety potential compared to the bremsstrahlung-based system. This work indicates that the LCS-based system can provide a possible and promising approach in verification of nuclear warheads in the future.