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Neutrino-Based Tools for Nuclear Verification and Diplomacy in North Korea
- Source :
- Science & Global Security. 27:15-28
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Informa UK Limited, 2019.
-
Abstract
- We present neutrino-based options for verifying that the nuclear reactors at North Korea's Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center are no longer operating or that they are operating in an agreed manner, precluding weapons production. Neutrino detectors may be a mutually agreeable complement to traditional verification protocols because they do not require access inside reactor buildings, could be installed collaboratively, and provide persistent and specific observations. At Yongbyon, neutrino detectors could passively verify reactor shutdowns or monitor power levels and plutonium contents, all from outside the reactor buildings. The monitoring options presented here build on recent successes in basic particle physics. Following a dedicated design study, these tools could be deployed in as little as one year at a reasonable cost. In North Korea, cooperative deployment of neutrino detectors could help redirect a limited number of scientists and engineers from military applications to peaceful technical work in an international community. Opportunities for scientific collaboration with South Korea are especially strong. We encourage policymakers to consider collaborative neutrino projects within a broader program of action toward stability and security on the Korean Peninsula.
- Subjects :
- Physics - Physics and Society
Engineering
Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors
media_common.quotation_subject
FOS: Physical sciences
Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph)
01 natural sciences
Peninsula
0103 physical sciences
010306 general physics
Diplomacy
media_common
geography
geography.geographical_feature_category
010308 nuclear & particles physics
business.industry
General Engineering
International community
Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det)
Neutrino detector
Work (electrical)
Software deployment
Systems engineering
Neutrino
business
Research center
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15477800 and 08929882
- Volume :
- 27
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Science & Global Security
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....11a6592ff4e82be2d2feb8af9979f9ed