Data reduction in the 100 mg $sup 252$Cf activation analysis facility at the Savannah River Laboratory

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:4166750

Bowman, W. W.; MacMurdo, K. W.

The automated absolute activation analysis technique developed at the Savannah River Laboratory is based on the ability to predict neutron capture reaction rates from tabulated cross sections and neutron spectra accurately calculated for the 100-mg $sup 252$Cf source. A series of computer programs comprises the data reduction system which: (1) reduces the gamma-ray spectra to lists of photopeak energies, areas, and statistical errors for all significant photopeaks, (2) assigns each gamma ray to the appropriate activation product by comparing experimental to tabulated gamma-ray energy, (3) converts each photopeak area into an elemental concentration using the experimental timing data, calculated reaction rates, detector efficiency, and activation product spectroscopic data in the absolute activation master equation. The data reduction system requires about one second of IBM 360-195 CPU time for the conversion of each 4096 channel spectrum into a qualitative and quantitative list of elemental composition. The accuracy of the algorithm is better than +- 15 percent for most elements. (auth)

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, S.C. (USA). Savannah River Lab.
• NSA Number: NSA-33-002558
• OSTI ID: 4166750
• Report Number(s): DP-MS--75-38; CONF-751009--3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*ACTIVATION ANALYSIS-- DATA PROCESSING
400101* --Chemistry--Analytical & Separations Chemistry-- Activation & Nuclear Reaction Procedures
ACCURACY
AUTOMATION
CALIFORNIUM 252
COMPUTER CODES
N40110* --Chemistry--Analytical & Separations Chemistry-- Activation & Nuclear Reaction Procedures
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NEUTRON SOURCES
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT