Abstract
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a leader in research towards radiation detection and nuclear sciences, spanning multiple research areas, including detection and interdiction technology, nuclear materials development and forensics, ultra-sensitive nuclear measurements, radiological emergency response, and nuclear safeguards and verification.
Notably, PNNL has pioneered the development of a next-generation radioxenon system called Xenon International. This advanced system has been accepted into the International Monitoring System (IMS) to monitor nuclear explosions as part of the verification regime of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Xenon International is designed to enable more sensitive and precise measurements, improving the ability to distinguish between anomalous events that may indicate nuclear testing and the background radioxenon emissions from medical isotope production facilities and nuclear power plants.
This seminar will discuss the research and development of Xenon International and internship opportunities at the laboratory.
Bio
Michael Mayer, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Dr. Michael Mayer is a research scientist in the Radiation Detection Systems group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Since joining PNNL as a postdoc in 2015, he has focused on nuclear explosion monitoring and the development of radioxenon detection technology. His work includes simulating, designing, building, and testing state-of-the-art beta-gamma detectors.
Additionally, Dr. Mayer is dedicated to advancing tools and calculations for radioxenon detector calibration and data analysis, with the goal of improving uncertainty measurement and detection limits in nuclear explosion monitoring.