Two approaches to determining $sup 239$Pu and $sup 241$Am levels in phoswich spectra

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:4173141

Goans, R E

A computer unfolding procedure used to detect $sup 239$Pu in the presence of $sup 241$Am and natural human background ($sup 40$K) in phoswich spectra is discussed. Both a direct method and a method of successive stripping are presented for the determination of lung burdens of $sup 239$Pu and $sup 241$Am. Normally, both algorithms are used to provide independent evaluations of the lung burdens. It is found experimentally that approximately 4.5 nCi of $sup 239$Pu can be detected in the presence of 0.3 nCi of $sup 241$Am. Limitations on minimum detectable activity are currently under investigation and will be discussed in a subsequent note. (UK)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• NSA Number: NSA-33-000999
• OSTI ID: 4173141
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*AMERICIUM 241-- RADIATION MONITORING
*LUNGS-- RADIOACTIVITY
*PLUTONIUM 239-- RADIATION MONITORING
560171* --Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies--Radiation Effects--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Man
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
ENERGY SPECTRA
MEASURING METHODS
N48710* --Life Sciences--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Man
POTASSIUM 40
RETENTION
SPECTRA UNFOLDING