Verification of pollux cask seals by laser techniques

The identity and integrity of final disposal casks of the Pollux type need to be reliably reverified during long term intermediate storage. A solution of this problem is the sealing of the cask by a weld seam, the surface structure of which provides for a unique fingerprint of the cask. Laser techniques proved to be a suitable method for identity and integrity verification of the casks by reproducible laser scanning of the weld seam profile. Following a feasibility study a prototype laser instrument has been constructed. The paper describes the instrument, the test results and the conditions for practical application in the facility.