Single-shot, multi-signature remote detection of uranium by filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

Filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FIBS) is an attractive remote detection approach that is potentially applicable to nuclear materials such as uranium (U). Simultaneous detection of atomic U and U monoxide features is demonstrated in a single laser shot with detection probabilities of 52.2% and 39.0%, respectively, and with a 1% false-alarm probability. It is shown that a nearly 100% detection probability can be reached with 1% false-alarm probability in ≲1 second when using an 80 Hz laser and data acquisition system. Atomic U and uranium oxide (UO) signal features are identifiable in the remote measurement with comparable signal-to-background ratios, suggesting that, despite being broader than the U I emission line, the UO band is also suitable for remote detection of U by FIBS.