U235: a gamma ray analysis code for uranium isotopic determination
A {sup 235}U analysis code, U235, has been written that can nondestructively determine the percentage of {sup 235}U in a uranium sample from the analysis of the emitted gamma rays. The code is operational and work is now underway to improve the accuracy of the calculation, particularly at the high (>90%) and low (<0.7%) {sup 235}U concentrations. A technique has been found to evaluate low {sup 235}U concentrations that works well on the existing standards. Work is now under way to evaluate this technique for other detectors and other types of samples. Work is also proceeding on: (1) ways to better determine gamma backgrounds, (2) techniques to determine the equivalent thickness of the sample to correct for gamma attenuation, (3) evaluation of the existing data base of branching ratios of {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U and their daughters gamma rays to allow better results and (4) evaluation of the existing data base on the emission ratios for uranium, thorium, and protactinium x-rays.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 310887
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-ID-125727; ON: DE98057424; BR: GD0604020
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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