Distributed miniature radiation detectors for monitoring plutonium casting processes.

Miniature cadmium-zinc telluride (CZT) detectors are used to monitor plutonium casting processes at the Los Alamos TA-55 Plutonium Facility. Specially designed fixtures provide adequate shielding from background radiation and allow the attachment of the detectors onto the outside surfaces of gloveboxes with minimal intrusion to the operators, the processes, and the facilities. The detectors are located where the process steps and duration are well defined. From the sequence of the detected changes in the signal strength and the elapsed time between changes, the occurrence of casting processes can be distinguished from random movements of special nuclear materials. For the teps that do not require operators continued attendance, this detection system has the potential for safeguarding these materials.