Use of IR Absorption Laser Spectroscopy at Nuclear Fuel Cycle Plants: Problems and Prospects (Review)

The main stages of the nuclear fuel cycle from extraction of uranium ores to disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the processing of spent nuclear fuel were briefly analyzed. A list of the most probable radioactive substances and toxic chemicals that can be part of emergency emissions at each stage of the nuclear fuel cycle was composed. The basic physical principles of local and remote IR absorption laser technologies for detecting radioactive substances and toxic chemicals in the atmosphere for solving some unique problems of environmental monitoring were considered. The analytical potential of the currently most effective laser technologies for atmospheric monitoring at nuclear fuel cycle plants based on the achievements of diode laser spectroscopy, cavity ringdown laser spectroscopy, and optoacoustic laser spectroscopy using diode and quantum-cascade lasers was discussed. Current trends in the development of laser technologies for atmospheric monitoring in different IR spectral ranges were analyzed.