Far Field Monitoring of Rogue Nuclear Activity with an Array of Large anti-neutrino Detectors

Abstract

The result of a study on the use of an array of large anti-neutrino detectors for the purpose of monitoring rogue nuclear activity is presented. Targeted regional monitoring of a nation bordering large bodies of water with no pre-existing legal nuclear activity may be possible at a cost of about several billion dollars, assuming several as-yet-untested schemes pan out in the next two decades. These are: (1) the enabling of a water-based detector to detect reactor anti-neutrinos by doping with GdCl$_3$; (2) the deployment of a KamLAND-like detector in a deep-sea environment; and (3) the scaling of a Super-Kamiokande-like detector to a size of one or more megatons. The first may well prove feasible, and should be tested by phase-III Super-Kamiokande in the next few years. The second is more of a challenge, but may well be tested by the Hanohano collaboration in the coming decade. The third is perhaps the least certain, with no schedule for construction of any such device in the foreseeable future. In addition to the regional monitoring scheme, several global, untargeted monitoring schemes were considered. All schemes were found to fail benchmark sensitivity levels by a wide margin, and to cost at least several trillion dollars.