Science for Nuclear Diplomacy

The Research Group Science for Nuclear Diplomacy conducts research to support nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament. Co-located at TU Darmstadt and PRIF, the group develops novel techniques to verify compliance with nuclear arms control agreements using experimental physics and computational nuclear engineering. Furthermore, proliferation potentials of emerging nuclear technologies are assessed and avenues towards reductions in nuclear arsenals and fissile materials are explored.

Fence with a sign saying "Caution" and nuclear symbols

We develop “nuclear archaeology” methods to reconstruct fissile material production and removal. This involves simulations of nuclear fuel cycles and facilities and applying computational techniques and data science methods.

Radiation detection is crucial for nuclear verification. Our group simulates nuclear material detection and reactor operations, complemented by experimental work using gamma and neutron sources and passive detection systems in the group’s laboratory.

Beyond technical research, we engage in interdisciplinary initiatives. The VeSPoTec project explores the connections between technical analyses, nuclear governance, and confidence-building practices. By integrating natural science, social constructivism, strategic studies, and the sociology of knowledge, we aim to address challenges to verification regimes. 

The group is part of the Cluster for Natural and Technical Science Arms Control Research (CNTR).

Head of Research Group

Malte Göttsche

Malte Göttsche

Research Fellows

Fabian Unruh

Fabian Unruh

Associate Fellows

Laura Mertes

[Translate to Englisch:]

Luis Pazos Clemens

[Translate to Englisch:]

Lukas Rademacher

Yan-Jie Schnellbach

Yan-Jie Schnellbach

Projects

The CNTR research and transfer cluster explores new military-relevant technologies and developments in the natural sciences from an interdisciplinary perspective. Our team of researchers from different disciplines investigates impacts on international security, classifies them in a scientifically sound manner and, on this basis, develops recommendations for action to strengthen arms control.

Cluster for Natural and Technical Science Arms Control Research (CNTR)

PhD Projects

Future nuclear disarmament treaties will likely include the verification of complete and correct declarations of items related to nuclear weapons programs. Nuclear archaeology is a field of research aiming at reconstructing the operational history of facilities producing fissile material which is an integral component of nuclear weapons. The methods of nuclear archaeology can provide estimates for past fissile material production making them a useful asset for assessing the completeness of fissile material declarations.
This research project, located within the Research Group Science for Nuclear Diplomacy of the Cluster for Natural and Technical Science Arms Control Research (CNTR), intends to advance existing techniques by including novel data sources as well as sophisticated statistical data analysis tools. It is planned to improve forensic measurement analysis, which is an important tool in nuclear archaeology, by systematically focusing on the most important information as well as complementing the measurements with data from archives documenting the historical operation of nuclear reactors. A particular focus of the project lays on implementing machine learning techniques, including recently established methods in the field of deep learning, for proper analysis of large data sets and reliable statistical statements. Finally, the integration of statistical results in a political verification regime is addressed.

Fabian Unruh

Fabian Unruh

Doctoral Researcher

Publications

  • Modeling gamma detectors in OpenMC: Validation of a newly implemented pulse-height tally
    | 2024
    Fichtlscherer, Christopher; Miah, Milon; Frieß, Friederike; Göttsche, Malte; Kütt, Moritz (2024): Modeling gamma detectors in OpenMC: Validation of a newly implemented pulse-height tally, Progress in Nuclear Energy, 172, Online first. DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105186
  • Towards inferring reactor operations from high-level waste
    | 2024
    Jung, Benjamin; Figueroa, Antonio; Göttsche, Malte (2024): Towards inferring reactor operations from high-level waste, Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 1–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2024.02.031
  • Forensic Measurements for Nuclear Archaeology – Trawsfynydd Revisited
    | 2024
    Rademacher, Lukas; Göttsche, Malte (2024): Forensic Measurements for Nuclear Archaeology – Trawsfynydd Revisited, in: Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) (eds), 2024 INMM Annual Meeting Proceedings, Portland: Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM).
    Publication
  • Reconstructing nuclear histories with archives – hands-on lessons learned
    | 2024
    Kretzschmar, Sophie; Rademacher, Lukas; Göttsche, Malte (2024): Reconstructing nuclear histories with archives – hands-on lessons learned, in: Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) (eds), 2024 INMM Annual Meeting Proceedings, Portland: Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM).
    Publication
  • Inferring Reactor Parameters from Nuclear Waste with Bayesian Inference
    | 2024
    Jung, Benjamin; Göttsche, Malte (2024): Inferring Reactor Parameters from Nuclear Waste with Bayesian Inference, in: Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) (eds), 2024 INMM Annual Meeting Proceedings, Mount Laurel: Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM).