Development of an ultrasonic system for the identification and authentication of copper canisters for spent nuclear fuel

The final disposal of copper canisters for spent nuclear fuel in long-term geological repositories has introduced the need to develop new safeguards measures and techniques to keep the Continuity of Knowledge (CoK) of the fuel from the encapsulation plant to the final repository. For this purpose, the ultrasonic method has been proposed as an innovative solution for the identification and authentication of copper canisters. This thesis deals with the development of the method by simulations and experimental tests with the aim of providing an ultrasonic acquisition system suitable for the implementation in the field.