Nuclear Data Requirements for Nuclear Security Applications

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a top-tier US national
laboratory that develops a variety of technologies aimed at unique nuclear
security applications, e.g. imaging, nuclear forensics, nuclear material detection. Critical
to the success of these technical fields are the nuclear data libraries (NDLs). Gaps in the
NDLs affect project objectives and cause mission-critical choke-points. For example, microscopic cross-sections are critical for fission fragment data, which affects the technical nuclear forensics mission. Gaps in γ-, n-, and d-induced cross-section data affect predictive modeling and simulations, key for aspects surrounding imaging.  To help fill the NDL gaps, LLNL is installing two new sources for key studies:
• Quasi-monoenergetic neutron source, with an anticipated intensity of 10¹¹ n/s (forward-focused), to be used for fast-neutron imaging and n-induced measurements.
• High-energy photon source that can generate 10¹⁴ γ/s (forward-focused), to be used for γ-ray radiography and γ-induced measurements.
This presentation will discuss some of the many central and peripheral NDL needs for
National Security.