Induced fission and signature studies of actinide isotopes using ANL/IPNS thermal neutrons and an array of detectors

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:678162

Cole, J D; Drigert, M W; Aryaeinejad, R ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States); and others

Since the mid-1980s when multidetector arrays of high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors became available, several studies of the prompt fragments from spontaneous fission of {sup 252}Cf, {sup 242}Pu, and {sup 235}U have been undertaken. The data from these measurements have formed the basis of new insights into the fission process. The current series of experiments is aimed at collecting information on the prompt fission fragments arising from thermal neutron-induced fission. The first experiment uses an array of compton-suppressed HPGe detectors and fast liquid scintillation detectors to observe the radiation emitted from the induced fission of {sup 235}U with a beam of thermal neutrons. The experiment was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory Intense Pulsed Neutron Source. A target of {approximately}2 g of uranium was used for this measurement. The array gathers multiple types of time-correlated radiation data. These fission studies and their new results are the basis of an NDA system under development to measure fissile mass, fissile isotopic ratios, radiation source term, and specific fission product isotopes. This system will have applications for the National and Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory (INEEL) SNF Programs, the Advanced Mixed Waste Focus Area, the Transuranic Waste Program, the safeguards and Security Office, and the Nonproliferation and National Security Office.

• OSTI ID: 678162
• Report Number(s): CONF-990605--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 80; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FISSION
FISSION FRAGMENTS
GAMMA RADIATION
NEUTRON REACTIONS
THERMAL NEUTRONS
URANIUM 235