Radioxenon: advances in production, source identification, and nuclear emergency response

Abstract Recent advancements in radioxenon technologies have significantly enhanced nuclear monitoring capabilities through several interconnected research areas. The development of methods for producing isotopically pure radioxenon has enabled precise calibration of β-γ coincidence detection systems utilized within the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. This foundational work facilitated comprehensive characterization of radioxenon signatures for nuclear source identification, including quantification of subsurface mass transport effects on signature evolution and identification of non-traditional isotopic ratios for source attribution. Implementation of these detection and characterization techniques during nuclear emergency response scenarios has demonstrated their practical value, particularly in rapid assessment of reactor core damage states. This research has extended applications to environmental transport studies, establishing new capabilities across nuclear monitoring, source term characterization, and emergency response domains.