Advancing Ultra-Sensitive Radiation Detection: Applications of Rare Event Physics to Global Security

Addressing global security challenges requires enhanced radiation detection capabilities to meet the needs of organizations such as the IAEA, CTBTO, and the U.S. Government. Key priorities include the accurate determination of radionuclide concentrations in environmental samples with improved speed, sensitivity, and adaptability to diverse sample profiles, such as aged or minute samples. Advances in rare-event physics technologies, originally developed for dark matter searches and neutrino experiments, are proving critical in achieving the ultra-sensitive thresholds needed for these missions. This presentation will explore the application of next-generation groundwater age-dating methodologies as a case study for leveraging rare-event physics technologies. Additionally, I will introduce the multidisciplinary Facility for Underground Science and Engineering (FUSE) under development at Savannah River National Laboratory, highlighting its unique underground laboratory environment optimized for minimizing background radiation and enabling cutting-edge detection research.