AA |
Administrative Arrangement. An arrangement made under each of
Australia’s bilateral safeguards agreements setting out
detailed procedures for the implementation of the agreement. |
AAEC |
Australian Atomic Energy Commission – predecessor of ANSTO |
Additional Protocol |
Published as IAEA document INFCIRC/540, the Additional Protocol
is designed for States having a Safeguards Agreement with the
IAEA, in order to strengthen the effectiveness and improve the
efficiency of the safeguards system. |
AGSO |
Australian Geological Survey Organisation |
ANSTO |
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation |
AONM |
Australian Obligated Nuclear Material: nuclear material which
is subject to obligations pursuant to one of Australia’s
bilateral safeguards agreements. In practice it relates to Australian
uranium and material derived from it (e.g. uranium hexafluoride,
low enriched uranium, depleted uranium, plutonium). |
AOPu |
Australian Obligated Plutonium (i.e. plutonium which is AONM) |
ARPANSA |
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency |
ASAP |
Australian Safeguards Assistance Program |
Australia Group |
A group of States that adhere to common guidelines for controls
on exports with the aim of preventing the proliferation of chemical
and biological weapons. |
Biocontainment |
A room or suite of rooms designed to handle biological agents
according to their risk groups defined in the WHO biosafety manual.
Work undertaken in a laboratory at a specific level should follow
procedures prescribed for that level of containment. |
BWC |
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production
and Stockpiling of Bacterialogical (Biological) and Toxin Weapons
and on their Destruction. |
BWR |
Boiling Water Reactor: an LWR in which the moderator/coolant
is used directly to produce steam for electricity generation. |
C/S |
Containment and Surveillance |
CD |
Conference on Disarmament |
Complementary Access |
The right of the IAEA pursuant the Additional Protocol to visit
a location and carry out verification activities. |
Comprehensive safeguards agreement |
Agreement for the application of safeguards to all of a State’s
current and future nuclear activities (equivalent to ‘full
scope’ safeguards). |
Conversion |
Processing of natural uranium into a gaseous compound, uranium
hexafluoride, for use as the feedstock for uranium enrichment. |
CPPNM |
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material |
CTBT |
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty |
CTBTO |
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation—Vienna
based international organisation established to give effect to
the CTBT. |
CWC |
Chemical Weapons Convention |
Depleted
Uranium |
Uranium having a U-235 content less than that found in nature
(i.e. as a result of uranium enrichment). |
DFAT |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
Direct-Use Material |
Nuclear material defined for safeguards purposes as being
useable for nuclear explosives without transmutation or further
enrichment, e.g. plutonium, high-enriched uranium (HEU)
and U-233. |
Discrete organic chemical (DOC) |
Any chemical belonging to the class of chemical compounds consisting
of all compounds of carbon, except for its oxides, sulphides
and metal carbonates, identifiable by chemical name, by structural
formula, if known, and by Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry
number, if assigned. Long chain polymers are not included in
this definition. |
DPRK |
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea |
Enrichment |
A physical or chemical process for increasing the proportion
of a particular isotope. Uranium enrichment involves increasing
the proportion of U-235 from its level in natural uranium, 0.711%:
for LEU fuel the proportion of U-235 (the enrichment level) is
typically increased to around 3-5%. |
ESARDA |
European Safeguards Research and Development Association |
Euratom |
The Atomic Energy Agency of the European Union. Its Safeguards
Directorate is responsible for the application of safeguards
to all nuclear material in civil nuclear facilities in Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and
the UK. |
Facility |
(for CWC purposes) A plant, plant site or production/processing
unit. [NB. for legal purposes, the term ‘Facility’,
as it appears in provisions of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition)
Act, has the same meaning as ‘plant site’.] |
Facility Attachment |
(for safeguards purposes) A document agreed between the
IAEA and the relevant Member State which specifies the nuclear
materials accountancy system for a specific facility, and defines
the format and scope of inspection activities. |
Fast neutron |
A neutron in the ‘fast’ energy range (>0.1 MeV) |
Fast neutron reactor |
A reactor that operates mainly with neutrons in the fast energy
range. Because a moderator is not used, a fuel with a high energy
density is required, usually plutonium (more specifically, MOX
with a high proportion, e.g. 20-30%, of plutonium) or HEU. Through
transmutation of U-238, a fast breeder reactor
is designed to produce more plutonium than it consumes. However
fast neutron reactors can also be operated as net plutonium consumers. |
Fissile |
Referring to a nuclide capable of undergoing fission by ‘thermal’
neutrons (e.g. U-233, U-235, Pu-239). |
Fission |
The splitting of an atomic nucleus into roughly equal parts,
often by a neutron. In a fission reaction, a neutron collides
with fissile nuclide (e.g. U-235) and splits, releasing energy
and new neutrons. Many of these neutrons may go on to collide
with other fissile nuclei, setting up a nuclear chain reaction. |
Fissionable |
Referring to a nuclide capable of undergoing fission by ‘fast’
neutrons (e.g. Pu-240, Pu-242). |
FMCT |
Proposed Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty |
Fuel Assembly (fuel element or fuel bundle) |
A grouping of fuel rods, pins, plates, etc., held together by
spacer grids and other structural components, which is maintained
intact during fuel transfer and irradiation operations in a reactor. |
Full Scope Safeguards |
The application of IAEA safeguards to all of a State’s present
and future nuclear activities. |
Graphite |
A form of carbon, used as a moderator in certain types of nuclear
reactor. Graphite is a very efficient moderator, enabling uranium
to be used in a fission reactor without enrichment. |
GW |
Gigawatt (Giga = 109) |
GWe / GWt |
Gigawatts of electrical / thermal power |
Heavy water (D2O) |
Water containing the ‘heavy’ hydrogen isotope deuterium
(hydrogen 2) which consists of a proton and a neutron. D2O occurs naturally as about one part in 6000
of ordinary water. D2O is a very efficient
moderator, enabling uranium to be used in a fission reactor without
enrichment. |
HEU |
High enriched uranium. Uranium enriched to 20% or more in U-235.
‘Weapons grade’ HEU has been enriched to over 90% U-235. |
HIFAR |
High Flux Australian Reactor: the 10 MWt research reactor located
at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights Research Laboratories. |
Hot Cell |
A shielded work area, with thick lead glass windows and remote
manipulation devices, in which radioactive materials can be safely
handled and inspected. |
Hydroacoustic |
Term referring to underwater propagation of pressure waves (sounds). |
IAEA |
International Atomic Energy Agency. The United Nations organisation
administering international safeguards, headquartered in Vienna,
Austria. |
ICR |
Inventory Change Report. A term used in nuclear materials accountancy. |
IDC |
International Data Centre. Data gathered by monitoring stations
of the CTBT IMS network are compiled, analysed and archived by
the Vienna based IDC. IDC products giving the results of analyses
are made available to CTBT signatories. |
IMS |
International Monitoring System—A network of 337 monitoring
stations and analytical laboratories which, together with the
IDC, gather and analyse data with the aim of detecting any explosive
nuclear testing. |
Indirect-Use Material |
Nuclear material that cannot be used for a nuclear explosive
without transmutation or further enrichment, e.g. depleted uranium,
natural uranium, low-enriched uranium (LEU), and thorium. |
INFCIRC |
Information Circular. A series of documents published by the
IAEA setting out safeguards, physical protection and export control
arrangements. |
INFCIRC/66 Rev.2 |
The model safeguards agreement used by the IAEA since 1965. Essentially
this agreement is facility-specific. In the case of non-nuclear-weapon
States party to the NPT, it has been replaced by INFCIRC/153. |
INFCIRC/153 (Corrected) |
The model agreement used by the IAEA as a basis for negotiating
safeguards agreements with non-nuclear-weapon States party to
the NPT. |
INFCIRC/225 Rev.4.(Corr) |
IAEA document entitled ‘The Physical Protection of Nuclear
Material and Nuclear Facilities’. Its recommendations reflect
a consensus of views among IAEA Member States on desirable requirements
for physical protection measures on nuclear material, that is,
measures taken for its physical security. |
Infrasound |
Sound in the frequency range of 0.02 to 4 Hertz. One category
of CTBT IMS stations will monitor sound at these frequencies
with the aim of detecting explosive events such as a nuclear
test explosion at a range up to 5000 km. |
INMM |
Institute of Nuclear Materials Management |
ISD |
International Security Division, Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade |
Isotopes |
Nuclides with the same number of protons, but different numbers
of neutrons, e.g. U-235 (92 protons and 143 neutrons) and U-238
(92 protons and 146 neutrons). The number of neutrons in an atomic
nucleus, while not significantly altering its chemistry, does
alter its properties in nuclear reactions. |
LEU |
Low Enriched Uranium; uranium enriched to less than 20% in U-235.
Commonly LEU for use as LWR fuel is enriched to 3–5% U-235. |
LHRL |
Lucas Heights Research Laboratories |
Listed Agents |
A specific list of microorganisms and toxins proposed in the
current draft of the verification protocol to the BWC. |
LWR |
Light Water Reactor. The most common type of power reactor, using
ordinary (light) water as the moderator and coolant. Because
light water is not an efficient moderator the uranium fuel must
be slightly enriched (LEU). |
MBA |
Material Balance Area. A term used in nuclear materials accountancy. |
MBR |
Material Balance Report. A term used in nuclear materials accountancy. |
Microbiological production |
Production of food, medicine and other chemicals by cultivation
of microorganisms or tissue cultures. |
Microorganism |
Dead or alive bacteria, viruses, fungi and single-cell organisms. |
Moata |
ANSTO’s ‘university training reactor’ (Moata means
‘firestick’ in an Aboriginal language). Now defuelled
and awaiting decommissioning. |
Moderator |
A material used to slow ‘fast’ neutrons to speeds where
they can readily be absorbed by U-235 or plutonium nuclei and
initiate a fission reaction. The most commonly used moderator
materials are light water, heavy water or graphite. |
MOX |
Mixed oxide reactor fuel, consisting of a mixture of uranium
and plutonium oxides – for LWR fuel the plutonium content
is typically around 5%. |
MUF |
Material Unaccounted For. A term used in nuclear materials accountancy
(see Output A). |
MW |
Megawatt (Mega = 106) |
MWe / MWt |
Megawatts of electrical / thermal power |
Natural uranium |
In nature uranium consists predominantly of the isotope U-238
(approx. 99.3%), with the fissile isotope U-235 comprising only
0.711%. |
NCG |
National Consultative Group, established by the Minister for
Foreign Affairs in 1998 to provide advice in the context of negotiations
on strengthening BWC Verification Protocol. |
NDA |
Non-destructive analysis or assay |
NDC |
National Data Centre, pursuant to the CTBT. |
NMAC |
Nuclear Materials Accountancy and Control |
NNWS |
Non-nuclear-weapon States |
NPT |
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons |
NSG |
Nuclear Suppliers Group: a group comprised of nuclear supplier
States that adhere to guidelines set out in the IAEA document
INFCIRC/254 for controls on exports of nuclear materials, equipment
and technology. |
Nuclide |
Nuclear species characterised by the number of protons (atomic
number) and the number of neutrons. The total number of protons
and neutrons is called the mass number of the nuclide. |
NWS |
Nuclear-weapon States: Those States recognised by the NPT as
having nuclear weapons when the Treaty was concluded, that is,
US, UK, Russia, France and China. |
OCPF |
Other Chemical Production Facility: A facility that produces
discrete organic chemicals in quantities exceeding thresholds
defined in the CWC. |
OPCW |
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |
OSI |
On-Site Inspection - A short notice ’challenge type inspection’
provided for in the CTBT as a means for investigation concerns
about serious non-compliance the testing prohibition. |
PASE |
Probabilistic Assessment of Safeguards Effectiveness |
PIL |
Physical Inventory Listing. A term used in nuclear materials
accountancy. |
Plant |
For CWC purposes, is defined as a relatively self-contained area,
structure or building containing one or more units for the production,
processing or consumption of a chemical, along with associated
infrastructure. |
Plant site |
For CWC purposes, is defined as the local integration of one
or more plants, with any intermediate administrative levels,
which are under one operational control, and includes common
infrastructure. |
Production |
Production of a chemical for the purposes of the CWC is defined
as its formation through chemical reaction. Production of chemicals
specified by the CWC is declarable, even if produced as intermediates
and irrespective of whether or not they are isolated. |
Programmatic |
Refers to an agreed delineated fuel-cycle program (facilities
and activities). |
Programme 93+2 |
The IAEA’s program for the strengthening of safeguards,
so-called because it commenced in 1993 and was initially expected
to take two years—now subsumed by the Strengthened Safeguards
System. |
PWR |
Pressurised water reactor: an LWR in which the moderator/coolant
heats a secondary cooling circuit that produces steam for electricity
generation. |
R&D |
Research and Development |
Reprocessing |
Processing of spent fuel to separate uranium and plutonium from
highly radioactive fission products. |
ROK |
Republic of Korea |
S/RD |
Shipper/Receiver Difference. A term used in nuclear materials
accountancy. |
SAGSI |
Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation: an advisory
group to the Director General of the IAEA. |
SNL |
Sandia National Laboratories, USA |
SPNFZ |
South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty |
SSAC |
State System of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Material:
the national safeguards system required of each State under its
safeguards agreement with the IAEA. |
SSS |
Strengthened Safeguards System (the IAEA’s safeguards system
building on Programme 93+2). |
Thermal neutron |
A neutron in the ‘thermal’ energy range (<0.1 MeV).
The thermal energy range is optimal for causing fission reactions
through neutron capture. |
Thermal reactor |
A reactor in which neutrons are slowed to ‘thermal’
speeds by use of a moderator. |
Toxin |
Compound originating from microorganisms animals or plants irrespective
of the method of production whether natural or modified that
can death, disease or ill health to humans, animals or plants. |
TW |
Terawatt (tera = 1012) |
TWh |
Terawatt hours |
U-233 |
Isotope 233 of uranium, produced through neutron irradiation
of thorium-232. |
U-235 |
Isotope 235 of uranium (occurs as 0.711% of natural uranium),
comprising 92 protons and 143 neutrons. |
U-238 |
Isotope 238 of uranium (occurs as about 99.3% of natural uranium),
comprising 92 protons and 146 neutrons. |
UF6 |
Uranium hexafluoride, a gaseous compound of uranium and fluorine
used as the feedstock for most enrichment processes. |
UOC |
Uranium Ore Concentrates (i.e. yellowcake) |
USDOE |
United States Department of Energy |
WMD |
Weapons of mass destruction |