A neutron multiplicity counter for plutonium assay

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Nuclear Science and Engineering; (United States)

OSTI ID:6166678

Dytlewski, N; Boldeman, J W ^[1]; Ensslin, N ^[2]

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1. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights (Australia)
2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

This paper reports on a new neutron multiplicity counter developed that can provide International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors a means of verifying plutonium samples by a full neutron multiplicity analysis where conventional neutron coincidence counters yield outliers. This prototype detector comprises an array of {sup 3}He and liquid scintillator neutron detectors and is one of a new generation of multiplicity counters under development for nuclear safeguards. A moments analysis solution to the plutonium mass, (a,n) rate, and multiplication is calculated using the measured neutron multiplicity distributions, and an expression for the uncertainty in the multiplication-corrected mass has been derived.

• OSTI ID: 6166678
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering; (United States) Vol. 104:4; ISSN 0029-5639; ISSN NSENA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

055001 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability-- Technical Aspects
440101* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACTINIDES
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HELIUM 3
HELIUM ISOTOPES
IAEA SAFEGUARDS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MULTIPLICATION FACTORS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NUCLEI
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION DETECTORS
SAFEGUARDS
SAMPLING
STABLE ISOTOPES
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS