Analysis of ¹²⁷Xe tracer measurements using a net counts method

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Geophysics
• Environmental Monitoring

Background:

• Physical Experiment 1 involved underground chemical explosions with radionuclide tracers at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
• ¹²⁷Xe, a radionuclide tracer, was released and detected by a SAUNA Q_B sampler 3.5 km away.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and interpret data from the SAUNA Q_B system.
• To calculate the measured activity concentration of ¹²⁷Xe.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of measurement systems for underground chemical explosions.
• Utilizing a beta-gamma coincidence detector system for radioisotope measurement.
• Analysis of coincidence measurement data from the SAUNA Q_B system.

Main Results:

• Detection of ¹²⁷Xe at a distance of 3.5 km from the explosion site.
• Successful measurement of ¹²⁷Xe activity concentration using the SAUNA Q_B system.

Conclusions:

• The SAUNA Q_B system effectively detected and measured ¹²⁷Xe released from an underground explosion.
• Coincidence measurement data provides valuable insights for nuclear explosion monitoring.