Apparatus and method for quantitatively evaluating total fissile and total fertile nuclide content in samples

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865322

Caldwell, John T ^[1]; Kunz, Walter E ^[2]; Cates, Michael R ^[3]; Franks, Larry A ^[4]

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1. Los Alamos, NM
2. Santa Fe, NM
3. Oak Ridge, TN
4. Santa Barbara, CA

Simultaneous photon and neutron interrogation of samples for the quantitative determination of total fissile nuclide and total fertile nuclide material present is made possible by the use of an electron accelerator. Prompt and delayed neutrons produced from resulting induced fissions are counted using a single detection system and allow the resolution of the contributions from each interrogating flux leading in turn to the quantitative determination sought. Detection limits for .sup.239 Pu are estimated to be about 3 mg using prompt fission neutrons and about 6 mg using delayed neutrons.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4497768
• OSTI ID: 865322
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
method
quantitatively
evaluating
total
fissile
fertile
nuclide
content
samples
simultaneous
photon
neutron
interrogation
quantitative
determination
material
electron
accelerator
prompt
delayed
neutrons
produced
resulting
induced
fissions
counted
single
detection
allow
resolution
contributions
interrogating
flux
leading
sought
limits
239
estimated
mg
fission
quantitative determination
electron accelerator
neutrons produced
fission neutron
prompt fission
delayed neutron
detection limits
nuclide content
neutron interrogation
total fertile
total fissile
induced fission
fertile nuclide
detection limit
/376/976/