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The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Melvin S Coops

Jack Robbins

Noel S Kane

A method is described for the chemical reduction of plutonium oxides to plutonium metal by the use of pure lithium metal. Lithium metal is used to reduce plutonium oxide to alpha plutonium metal (alpha-Pu). The lithium oxide by-product is reclaimed by sublimation and converted to the chloride salt, and after electrolysis, is removed as lithium metal. Zinc may be used as a solvent metal to improve thermodynamics of the reduction reaction at lower temperatures. Lithium metal reduction enables plutonium oxide reduction without the production of huge quantities of CaO--CaCl.sub.2 residues normally produced in conventional direct oxide reduction processes.

Lithium metal reduction of plutonium oxide to produce plutonium metal

A method and apparatus for identifying an article and detecting its unauthorized movement comprises disposing a predetermined amount of radioactive isotopes on or within the article. The plurality of radioactive isotopes has a characteristic gamma spectrum unique to that plurality. Continuous monitoring is used to obtain a signal to detect unauthorized movement of the article. For identification purposes, means is provided for resolving the unique gamma spectrum into isotopic abundances. The plurality of radioactive isotopes is disposed on the article in an amount which preferably does not exceed an activity level of about one microcurie. Additionally, the half-life of the plurality is matched to the period of time needed to protect a particular article. These parameters make the method and apparatus particularly suitable for identifying and detecting unauthorized movement of articles that previously were impractical to detect, as well as providing the mechanism for authenticating and dating articles in such a manner so as not to encumber or visibly display the presence of the deposited plurality on an article.

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Livermore, CA, United States of America

Melvin S Coops