Monte Carlo Characterization of the Cosmic Ray Muon Flux in Subsurface Geological Repositories

Abstract

Recent challenges in monitoring subsurface geological repositories call for new, innovative concepts that are facility independent, cost-effective, passive, and reliable. Inspection and verification of future disposal facilities will exert significant pressure on the limited safeguards resources. Compared to aboveground facilities, subsurface geological repositories cannot be directly monitored. Once nuclear material is in place in these facilities, reverifying the inventory may no longer be feasible if continuity of knowledge is lost or updated safeguards information on the contents (or lack thereof) becomes available to inspectors. Using cosmic ray muons presents several potential advantages over conventional photon/neutron signatures, and their use in safeguards applications has only recently received attention. However, there have been limited efforts to explore the integration of cosmic ray muons into repository safeguards and study potential gains, risks, and costs. This paper presents a Monte Carlo-based methodology to characterize the cosmic ray muon flux, including muon angular and energy differential distributions at depths representative of geological repositories. This work discusses the feasibility of muon monitoring for detecting spent nuclear fuel disposal cask movement or for unauthorized excavation and rock removal. The objective is to develop useful parametrizations to provide a convenient tool for detector-specific and safeguards applications at any geological repository site. It is expected these results will provide a better understanding of how muons can be integrated into an existing geological repository safeguards framework.